Newton Police Department
• Monica J. Bayne, 41, of Newton was cited with violation of conditions of a restricted license, leaving the scene of an accident with damage only, and failure to carry a registration card after authorities responded to a report of a hit-and-run accident at 6 p.m. Wednesday at East Ninth Street South and South Fifth Avenue East. An officer stopped Bayne in the 1200 block of South Eighth Avenue East after observing damage to her vehicle. After learning Bayne’s vehicle matched the description of the vehicle that fled the scene of the accident, the officer questioned Bayne about the accident. According to the officer’s report, Bayne said she panicked because she could not see without her glasses and fled the scene of the accident. The officer smelled a faint odor of alcohol coming from Bayne, and she stated she had half a beer around noon. A breath sample indicated a .081 BAC, but she was not charged with operating while intoxicated. Bayne’s vehicle and the vehicle owned by the victim, Christine Bennett of West Des Moines, each sustained an estimated $3,000 damage.
• Ryan T.G. Bowen, 17, of Newton was charged with possession of alcohol while under the legal age after authorities responded to a complaint of an intoxicated person leaving the H.A. Lynn Field with two other people at 8:39 p.m. Oct. 11. Bowen was described as stumbling as he walked and wearing a white cut-off T-shirt with handwritten numbers or letters on the shirt. He was located a short time later at 1008 S. 14th Ave. W. He smelled strongly of alcohol, was vomiting into a bucket and was unable to stand on his own. He was charged and referred to juvenile court services.
• Devin O’Brien Harsh, 17, of Newton was charged with serious assault after authorities responded to a fight reported at 8 a.m. Wednesday at Newton Senior High School. Harsh was charged for allegedly punching another student several times, causing a red mark and swelling to the right side of the victim’s face. Harsh 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 16 and older.