March 29, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police Department

• Dayna R. Barton, 22, of Newton was charged with first-degree burglary after authorities were informed of an assault occurring at 2:30 a.m. June 7 at a residence in the 400 block of West 12th Street South. Barton was charged for allegedly entering the residence without permission, yelling at the victim and hitting her in the face. Barton was released to appear in court.

• Megan Q. Beintema, 28, of Newton was charged with fourth-degree theft after authorities were dispatched at 6 p.m. Wednesday to a residence in the 500 block of North Second Avenue West in reference to a theft. She was charged for allegedly taking prescription medication, valued at $239.99, from the victim. Beintema was released to appear in court.

• Thomas J. Odem, 34, of Newton was charged Tuesday with two counts of fraud and Alicia L. Geery, 29, of Newton was charged with one count of fraud following an investigation of a theft. The victim reported her credit card had been stolen and used without her consent. Officers obtained video footage of two suspects using the credit card on April 27 and identified the suspects as Odem and Geery. Odem admitted to using the card twice — once for a $10.72 purchase at Hy-Vee Gas and once for $40.09 at True Value. Geery admitted to using the card for the purchase at Hy-Vee Gas. Odem was transported to the Jasper County Jail, and Geery was released to appear in court.

• Jason L. Ray, 35, of Newton was charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct after authorities heard a group of people yelling outside the First Avenue Speakeasy at 12:27 a.m. June 6 and stopped to investigate. Ray was charged for allegedly yelling aggressively at a female and being intoxicated. He 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. It is the policy of the Newton Daily News to release the names of individuals charged with a crime who are 16 and older.