March 28, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police Department

• Three people were charged with drug violations after police stopped a vehicle at 11:04 p.m. Friday for a traffic violation in the 600 block of North Ninth Avenue East. The driver of the vehicle, Hannah R. Ford, 18, of Newton was charged with possession of marijuana after police noticed a baggie allegedly containing marijuana in the vehicle. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail. One passenger, Devin T. Kovach, 18, of Newton, allegedly was in possession of Seroquel, which requires a prescription. He was charged with possession of a prescription drug without a prescription and was taken to the Jasper County Jail. Another passenger in the vehicle, Samuel D. Shedlock, 19, of Newton, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia for allegedly having marijuana and a pipe in his possession. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• A 15-year-old Newton boy was charged with fifth-degree theft at 4:15 p.m. Thursday after witnesses observed him taking a pair of Hawkeye gloves valued at $5.13 from Hy-Vee without paying for them. The case was referred to juvenile authorities.

• Matthew R. Brown, 35, of Colfax was cited for failure to maintain control following a two-vehicle accident in the 1300 block of First Avenue West at 8:47 a.m. Friday. Brown allegedly hit the rear of a vehicle driven by Maxine E. McMahon, 79, of Newton. McMahon was traveling westbound on First Avenue and had slowed to allow another vehicle to turn into the West End Sinclair when Brown struck her vehicle. Damage to each vehicle was estimated at $500. No injuries were reported.

• Benjamin L. Goodwin, 23, of Newton was charged with operating while intoxicated, driving while license suspended and was cited for driving with an open container after police stopped his vehicle at 6:21 p.m. Saturday in the 700 block of East Eighth Street North. During the traffic stop, his blood alcohol was .159. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Nigel W. Graves, 32, of Newton was charged with willful injury, third-offense public intoxication, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after he was located at 509 E. Ninth St. N. following a report from a Newton man where is alleged to have struck the victim in the head with a chain with a padlock on it at 5:23 p.m Sunday at 904 N. Sixth Ave. E. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Amy S. Johnson, 30, of Newton and Theodore B. Johnson, 27, of Newton were both brought to the Jasper County Jail on outstanding Jasper County warrants for drug charges after police stopped their vehicle at 11:23 p.m. March 4 in the Hy-Vee parking lot.

• Mark J. Karsten, 55, of Newton was charged with operating while intoxicated after police stopped his vehicle in the 200 block of First Avenue East for a broken taillight at 8:09 p.m. Friday. At the time, his blood alcohol content was .132. He was released to appear.

• Richard E. Keller, 31, of Newton was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court on a failure to pay child support charge after police stopped a vehicle in the 200 block of East 12th Street North at 2:13 a.m. Saturday. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Amanda L. King, 28, of Newton was charged with serious domestic assault at 9:08 p.m. Thursday after police where dispatched to 1301 W. 16th St. S. When police arrived, a female victim reported King allegedly assaulted her earlier in the day and threw a cell phone at her, causing a cut on her head. King was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Lacy A. Olson, 33, of Newton was arrested on a outstanding warrant for a probation violation in regard to his operating while intoxicated conviction after police where dispatched to the Jasper County Courthouse at 10:40 a.m. Friday. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Roger D. Wales Jr., 23, of Newton was charged with serious assault after police were dispatched to 1453 N. 11th Ave. E. #3C at 3:25 p.m. When officers arrived a male victim said Wales allegedly headbutted him at his residence causing a cut on his nose. Wales was located in at a nearby apartment and was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Emmie L. Watters, 22, of Grinnell was cited for failure to yield upon a left turn following a two-vehicle accident at 8:42 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of First Avenue East and Speedway Drive. after allegedly striking a vehicle driven by Justin D. Olson, 35, of Kellogg. Watters was traveling westbound on Highway 6 and was turning left onto Iowa Speedway Drive when he allegedly pulled in front of Olson, who had a green light. Damage to Watters’ vehicle was estimated at $1,500 and damage to Olson’s vehicle was estimated at $1,000 damage. Olson complained of neck pain but refused medical treatment.

• Megan A. Young, 30, of Newton was charged with fifth-degree theft after police were dispatched to Walmart at 5:37 p.m. Saturday in reference to a person inhaling the contents of several cans of Ultra Duster Air and taking cans without paying for them. Police determined the 16 empty and full cans Young allegedly attempted to steal were worth $79.36. She was released to appear.

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 16 and older.