March 28, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police Department

• Nikayla R. Hoffmann, 17, of Newton was charged with public intoxication after authorities responded to a complaint at 4:31 a.m. Friday of an unknown juvenile female at a residence in the 500 block of First Street South in Newton. The homeowner stated she heard a noise on her front porch, opened her door and observed the girl fall inside onto the floor and pass out. Hoffmann was charged and referred to juvenile court services.

• Megan A. James, 28, of Newton was charged with credit card fraud after authorities investigated a complaint received at 1:21 and 1:43 p.m. Sept. 13, 2013, at Kum and Go and Walmart. James was charged for allegedly using another person’s debit card to purchase $48 in gas at Kum and Go and $139.30 worth of merchandise at the wireless center in Walmart. She was charged at 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Newton Police Department and released to appear in court.

• Lance A. Jones, 22, of Newton was arrested on a Jasper County warrant for probation violation on drug charges after authorities went to 613 S. Second Ave. W. at 8:55 p.m. Monday to look for a runaway. Jones was taken to jail on the warrant.

• Avery L. Leavens, 22, of Newton was charged with driving while license suspended after he was stopped at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday in the 800 block of East Ninth Street North and found to be driving with a suspended license. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Lisa L. McConnell, 31, of Newton was charged with driving while license suspended after authorities stopped her at 9:25 p.m. Wednesday in the 200 block of East 12th Street North for having inoperable brake lights. She was found to be driving with a suspended license and transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Linda S. Sapp, 56, of Mingo was charged with criminal trespass after authorities responded to a complaint of a person trespassing at 5:23 p.m. Monday at Walmart. She was charged and released to appear in court.

• Richard W. Vegter, 50, of Newton was cited with failure to maintain control after authorities responded to a three-vehicle accident at 7:13 a.m. Wednesday in the 500 block of North Third Avenue East in Newton. Vegter was traveling west when he lost control of his vehicle, striking a parked vehicle owned by Monica M. Powell of Newton in the left side. Vegter then continued west and struck another vehicle, also parked on the south side of the street facing east, owned by Ellen F. Birech of Newton. Vegter was transported to Skiff Medical Center for medical treatment. His vehicle sustained an estimated $5,000 damage, Powell’s an estimated $1,600 damage and Birech’s an estimated $1,000 damage.

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.