• Newton Police have charged a Newton man with arson following an investigation on Sept. 21, at 8:45 p.m. at 527 N. Fourth Ave. E. According to the police report, Jacob R. Stengele, 18, of Newton entered the residence and lit a shirt on fire. Following an investigation by the Newton Fire Department, Stengele turned himself in to Newton Police on Monday at 7:27 p.m. He was charged with second-degree arson, and burglary second degree and taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Jasmine M. Edmisson, 20, of Algona was charged with operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. The victim told Newton Police that he was visiting at 1425 N. 11th Ave. E. on Wednesday at 12:40 a.m. and his vehicle was missing from the parking lot. It was located later in Grinnell being driven by Edmisson. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Mary I. Hamilton, was charged with simple assault and obstruction of an emergency communication for an incident on Monday at 11 a.m. at 910 W. Second St. S. The female victim told police that Hamilton grabbed her arm, and when she tried to call police, Hamilton threatened her with the telephone. Hamilton was released to appear.
• Melvin D. Koon, 59, of Newton, was charged with public intoxication first offense on Tuesday at 10:51 p.m. when officers observed him in the 300 block of S. Fourth Ave. W. He had an odor of alcohol, slurred speech and difficulty walking. He registered a blood alcohol level of .191. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Remington S. Clark, 21, of Newton, was arrested on a Jasper County warrant on Tuesday at 10:56 p.m. at 408 E. Fifth St. N. for failure to appear for a show cause hearing for child support. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Mark T. Foster, 43, was cited for failure to maintain control Sept. 28 at 12:56 p.m. when his vehicle struck the rear of a vehicle driven by Matthew J. Forck, 36, of Newton in the 800 block of First Avenue West. Damage to Foster’s vehicle was estimated at $1,600. No damage was reported for Forck’s vehicle. No injuries were reported.
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.