March 29, 2024

Former NPD officer sentenced, fined

Hamell to complete OWI program

After pleading guilty to charges earlier this month, a former Newton Police Department officer was set to appear in court Wednesday for a sentencing hearing. An agreement was reached behind closed doors instead.

Dustin S. Hamell, 30, plead guilty this month in district court to both carrying weapons and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, first offense.

Hamell waived any record or transcription of the sentencing hearing, according to court documents.

Hamell, who was represented by Des Moines attorney Roger P. Owens, was sentenced to serve two days in jail or to complete the OWI 1st program. Completion of that program would be credited as 48 hours of jail time served.

Hamell was sentenced to pay $625 and a law enforcement initiative surcharge. He was also fined $1250.00 plus a surcharge and drug abuse surcharge.

Hamell was placed on probation for two years. He was also ordered to complete 12 hours of driving under the influence classes.

The sentencing was approved by District Associate Judge Steven J. Holwerda.

The charges stem from an Aug. 30 arrest in which Hamell — who was an off-duty NPD officer at the time — was pulled over on Interstate 80 between Mitchellville and Colfax and was found to have a loaded weapon within his reach.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, shortly after 10 p.m. on Aug. 30, state troopers received a radio call about an eastbound truck that was “all over the road” near mile marker 149. A state patrol vehicle caught up to the truck near mile marker 151, observing the truck swerving, nearly striking a concrete construction barricade, and varying speed between 40 and 60 mph.

State patrol pulled the vehicle over east of the construction zone near Colfax. Hamell had slurred speech and he told police he had both loaded and unloaded handguns in the driver’s side door and was taken back to a patrol car for interviewing.

Hamell refused all impairment tests except the breath test, which revealed a .231 blood alcohol level — nearly three times Iowa’s legal limit. He was unsure how much alcohol he had consumed that evening.

In the driver’s door panel, state patrol found a Ruger LC9 handgun with one round in the chamber and three rounds in the magazine. Hamell also had unopened cans of Bud Light in his truck.

Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess declined to say if Hamell’s NPD employment later ended mutually or in a resignation or termination.

“After the arrest, Hamell was placed on administrative leave,” Burdess said. “Hamell separated from employment with the City of Newton on Oct. 7. Due to this being a personnel issue, I cannot comment further.”

Hamell was placed on paid leave last year after a July 2015 incident in which a domestic abuse charge was filed against him by his former fianceé. He returned to regular duty in October after both a jury trial acquittal and an internal NPD investigation.

Hamell was hired by NPD in August of 2012 prior to attending the state’s police academy.

Contact Kayla Langmaid at 641-792-3121 ext. 6513 or klangmaid@newtondailynews.com.