March 28, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police Department

• Alicia K. Cooper, 22, of Newton was charged April 21 with simple domestic assault after authorities investigated a complaint of an assault at El Sombrero’s at 1:55 p.m. Feb. 11. Cooper was charged for allegedly assaulting a male and was released to appear in court.

• Steven E. Daniel, 43, of Newton was charged with possession of marijuana and operating while intoxicated after authorities stopped him at 12:05 a.m. April 20 in the 400 block of South Eighth Avenue East after observing him accelerating quickly and squealing his tires. Daniel consented to a breath test, which indicated a BAC of .146, and officers located a baggie containing 4.2 grams of marijuana in the vehicle. He was charged and released to appear in court.

• Colby D.J. Earnhart, 28, of Grinnell was charged with driving while license barred after authorities responded to a report at 6:08 p.m. April 19 of a vehicle driving into the median on Interstate 80. Police located the suspect vehicle, stopped him and determined Earnhart’s license had been barred. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Shelby R. Williams, 35, of Newton was charged with forgery, fourth-degree theft, fifth-degree theft, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of trespassing after authorities were dispatched at 3:48 p.m. April 21 to Walmart in reference to a theft that occurred earlier that day. Officers were shown a video of Williams taking property off Walmart shelves and attempting to get refunds for the items. Authorities learned she was at Walmart again several hours later and went to arrest her. During a search of her vehicle, authorities found several syringes, small plastic baggies, a plastic bag with a green leafy substance residue inside, a black bag containing a spoon and cotton swab and a pencil box containing a marijuana pipe, meth straw and a syringe with a black substance inside. Williams also was charged in connection with an April 3 incident involving a forged check at Walmart. Surveillance video from that date showed Williams attempting to use a check on a male relative’s bank account to purchase an iPad, iPad case and notebook computer with a total value of $1,055.96. The cashier refused to accept the check without the account holder there, and Williams left the store and did not return. She was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.