Police Blotter

Newton Police

Department

• Theodore R. Clark, 53, of Baxter was charged with accessory after the fact Monday for allegedly hiding his son, Jason Clark, from authorities by purchasing a room for the wanted subject at American’s Best Value Inn on Jan. 19. According to a police report, officers attempted to serve a warrant for Jason Clark, but he had left the Newton motel upon their arrival. Police said that Theodore “harbored and concealed the subject to prevent apprehension for authorities.” He was charged and released to appear in court.

• Stephanie L. Murray, 29, of Newton was arrested and charged with driving while license suspended at 1:48 p.m. Saturday. According to a police report, Murray’s vehicle was stopped on Highway 14 South at the Interstate 80 overpass. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

Prairie City Police Department

• Danel Jason Drake, 36, of Prairie City was arrested and charged with indecent exposure, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and simple assault stemming from a Sept. 23 and 24 incident where police alleged he exposed himself and touched a 16-year-old female against her will. According to a police report, Drake was arrested Jan. 5 after the victim told officers that Drake touched her several times. The investigation also revealed that Drake smoked marijuana with the victim. According to online court records, Drake was taken to the Jasper County Jail and released on $1,600 bond Jan. 11. Pretrial comments in the case are scheduled to begin Feb. 8, in Jasper County District Court.

• Randy P. Hofer, 30, of Altoona was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (second offense) at 11:34 p.m. Friday in Prairie City. According to a police report, Hofer failed sobriety testing during a traffic stop. His driver’s license was also shown to be invalid during the incident giving Hofer an additional charge of driving while license suspended. He was taken into custody and transported to the Jasper County Jail.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. It is the policy of the Newton Daily News to release the names of individuals charged with a crime who are 15 and older.