Eyewitnesses say at least two raids were conducted in Newton on Tuesday, March 4.
Multiple eyewitnesses reported seeing law enforcement officials in tactical gear and carrying what were described as AR-15 rifles raiding two east-side homes that afternoon. One raid occurred in the 300 block of East Fourth Street North, the other in the 1300 block of South Fifth Avenue East.
The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and Newton Police Department both denied any involvement by the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, the Jasper County SERT and the Newton Police Department Tactical Team. Although they indicated the FBI led those raids, the agency’s local spokeswoman said she could not say what was happening.
“I cannot confirm or deny a raid took place,” FBI Public Affairs Specialist for the Omaha Division said. “It is against [U.S. Department of Justice] policy to discuss ongoing investigations.”
No additional information will be made available by the FBI or U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa unless or until a federal indictment is unsealed by a judge.