Newton Police Department
• David E. Crovetti, 56, of Highwood, Ill., was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia after authorities were dispatched at 9:02 p.m. Jan. 20 to Super 8 Motel in reference to a suspicious odor coming from one of the rooms. Upon arrival, police could smell marijuana coming from the room. Officers knocked on the door several times and heard a toilet flush before Crovetti opened the door. He confessed to flushing marijuana down the toilet and was arrested. During a search, police located a pop can used as a makeshift pipe along with a half-smoked joint that weighed .6 gram. Crovetti was transported to the Jasper County Jail.
• Nathan W. Dewar, 24, of Newton was charged with possession of a Schedule IV prescription drug and possession of drug paraphernalia after authorities were dispatched at 2:41 a.m. Jan. 20 to 702 E. Third St. S. in Newton in reference to a suspicious man standing next to a dumpster. Upon arrival, officers located the suspect inside the apartment garage sitting in a vehicle with the driver’s door open. The man, identified of Dewar, was found to be wanted on a warrant for probation violation and was arrested. During a search, officers found in Dewar’s pocket a small baggie with five pills that were determined to be alprazolam and another baggie with a green leafy substance consistent with marijuana. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.
• Angela J. Henderson, 36, of Kellogg was charged with fifth-degree theft after authorities responded to a complaint at 8:37 p.m. Jan. 17 of a woman trying to return stolen items to Walmart. A loss prevention agent at Walmart stated Henderson had been in the store on the previous night and was seen on video taking three ink cartridges valued at $150.77 and leaving the store without paying for the items. She was charged and released to appear in court.
• Derick L. Jensen, 21, of Newton was cited with unsafe backing after authorities responded to a two-vehicle accident at 1:04 p.m. Jan. 20 at First Avenue West and West Third Street. Jensen was exiting the U.S. Cellular parking lot and backed into a vehicle driven by Stephan A. Barth, 26, of Newton, causing an estimated $1,000 to Barth’s vehicle and $200 damage to his own vehicle.
• Gregory E. Jurgensen, 22, of Newton was charged with driving while license suspended after authorities stopped him at 12:42 p.m. Jan. 20 in the 300 block of North Second Avenue West after recognizing him as driving with a suspended license. He was charged and released to appear in court.
• Keely M. Murphy, 18, of Newton was charged with fifth-degree theft after authorities responded to a shoplifting complaint at 2:08 p.m. Jan. 15 at Walmart. A loss prevention employee stated she observed Murphy placing three light bulbs with a total value of $14.88 in her purse and attempting to leave the store without paying. Murphy was released to appear in court.
• Jessica R. Smith, 23, of Newton was charged with driving while license suspended after authorities stopped her at 11:41 p.m. Jan. 20 in the 1200 block of West 16th Street South for having an obstructed rear window. Officers determined her license had been suspended. She also was cited for no insurance and transported to the Jasper County Jail.
• Tesha A. Villencco-Owens, 43, of Newton was cited with failure to maintain control and failure to have a valid driver’s license after authorities responded to a report of a vehicle in the grass on a golf course at 5:09 p.m. Jan. 20. Authorities determined Villencco-Owens was driving north on West 12th Street South when she drove over a curb, over-corrected and drove onto the golf course property. No injuries were reported, and nothing was damaged. Villencco-Owens passed sobriety tests and was checked out by medical personnel.
• Jacob D. Warrick, 19, of Monroe was cited with following too close and violation of financial liability after authorities responded to a two-vehicle accident at 6:12 p.m. Jan. 21. Warrick was eastbound on First Avenue West at the intersection of First Street when he said his foot slipped off the brake and bumped into a vehicle ahead of him driven by Mariah L. Wormley, 28, of Newton. Wormley complained of back pain but refused medical assistance. Her vehicle sustained an estimated $200 damage and Warrick’s an estimated $50 damage.
• Blane S. Wilkens, 17, of Newton was cited with failure to maintain control after authorities responded to an accident at 8:24 p.m. Jan. 20 in the 200 block of East 13th Street North. Wilkens was traveling north when he lost traction and slid into a utility pole, causing an estimated $2,500 damage to the pole and an estimated $1,500 damage to his truck.
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.