March 28, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police

Department

• Scott W. Cupples, 26, of Newton was arrested on an Iowa Department of Corrections escape warrant at 9:12 a.m. Sunday at 623 E. Eighth St. S. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Eric T. Daugherty, 47, of Colfax was charged with driving while license suspended after police stopped his vehicle at 8:09 p.m. Saturday in the 200 block of First Avenue West for operating with blue lights. He was given a warning for the illegal lights and taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Melvin G. Hawkins Jr., 49, of Newton was charged with public intoxication (third or subsequent offense) after authorities were dispatched at 3:27 p.m. Sunday to a residence in the 2100 block of South Fifth Avenue East for a complaint of a man entering a residence without being invited. Hawkins was found in the area and had bloodshot and watery eyes, poor balance and speech, smelled of alcohol and was unable to perform sobriety maneuvers. He was found to have nine prior public intoxication convictions. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Tanner B. Jensen, 21, of Newton was charged with fifth-degree theft and interference with official acts after authorities responded to a shoplifting complaint at 3:26 p.m. Friday at Walmart. The suspect had fled the scene in a vehicle, and authorities located the vehicle in the Taco Bell/KFC parking lot and observed Jensen, a passenger in the vehicle, entering Krupp Apartments. Jensen was located in the building and found to be in possession of car headlights valued at $21.20. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Jared M. King, 22, of Newton was charged with public intoxication after authorities responded to a report of a man with a broken leg at 2:07 a.m. Sunday at the creek behind Hy-Vee. Police determined King’s leg was not broken, but he had poor balance, bloodshot eyes and appeared to be intoxicated. He refused chemical testing. He was charged and released to appear in court at a later date.

• William D. MacDonald, 48, of Newton was charged with serious domestic assault (third or subsequent offense) after authorities responded to a complaint of a domestic disturbance at 9:47 p.m. Friday at 430 N. Eighth Ave. E. Apt. 11. When officers arrived, they observed MacDonald holding a female to the floor and hitting her in the face. MacDonald was found to have four prior domestic assault convictions, and he was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail. The victim was transported to Skiff Medical Center, where she was treated and released.

• Brandon Moyer, 20, of Grinnell was charged with driving while license suspended after authorities stopped his vehicle at 1:22 a.m. Sunday in a church parking lot at North Eighth Avenue East and East Seventh Street North. He was charged and released to appear in court at a later date.

• Bryan C. Odem, 29, of Newton was charged for driving while license barred and possession of drug paraphernalia after authorities who recognized him as driving without a valid license stopped his vehicle at 12:33 a.m. Saturday in a parking lot of an apartment complex in the 600 block of South Fifth Avenue East. During a search, a methamphetamine pipe with residue was found in Odem’s possession. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Dalton L. Simmons, 20, of Newton was charged with public intoxication after authorities were dispatched at 3:07 a.m. Sunday to a residence in the 200 block of West 12th Street South in reference to a male out of control. Simmons was located in the 500 block of West 12th Street South, and authorities observed he had red, watery eyes and smelled of alcohol. A Datamaster test indicated his blood alcohol contact was .089. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• A 14-year-old Newton boy was charged with serious assault after another juvenile went to the Newton Police Department at 4:17 p.m. Friday and claimed he had been hit in the mouth by another student at Berg Middle School. The victim had cuts inside of his mouth. Authorities located the suspect and charged him. The boy was referred to juvenile court services.

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.