Newton Police Department
• Eh D. Soe, 25, of Newton, was charged with operating while under the influence, failure to maintain or use safety belts, failure to provide proof of financial liability and driving on the wrong side of a two way highway at 6:42 p.m. Aug. 10 in the 1800 block of East 19th Street North. According to the Newton Police Department, officers observed Soe crossing the center line and driving down the center of the road for half a block. Newton police followed the truck and observed it swerving toward and crossing the center. Officers initiated a traffic stop in the 1800 block of East 19th Street North and exited their patrol car. Newton police made contact with Soe and observed him having bloodshot and watery eyes and smelled of alcohol. Soe admitted to consuming alcohol earlier in the day. He agreed to a field sobriety test and failed multiple tests. Soe provided a breath sample for the DataMaster which registered a 0.214. He was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Anthony K.N. Nicholas, 27, of Newton, was charged with interference with official acts at 7:06 p.m. Aug. 11 in the 300 block of East 12th Street North. According to the Newton Police Department, officers made contact with a male who they recognized as Nicholas. Nicholas identified himself as Kevin Bettin and said his birthday was June 6, 1993. Nicholas stated they did not have any identification on him, and he was taken into custody. He then admitted that he lied about who he was and gave the officers his identification. Nicholas was arrested on a Jasper County warrant for failure to appear on a driving while suspended charge as well as the interference charge. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Richard C. Lewis, 55, of Newton, was charged with driving while barred at 3:14 p.m. Aug. 11 in the 1200 block of North Fourth Avenue West. According to the Newton Police Department, officers observed Lewis traveling at a high rate of speed. Radar indicated that the car was going 39 mph in a 25 mph zone. Newton police initiated a traffic stop in the 400 block of West 15th Street North and made contact with the driver, identified as Lewis. He admitted to not having a license. Newton police confirmed Lewis’ license was barred and arrested him for driving while barred and issued him a warning for the speed violation. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.