Former Newton man arrested after missing court date for prostitution allegations

A man formerly of Newton is scheduled to appear in Jasper County District Court today after he was arrested Thursday for failing to appear for a hearing related to prostitution charges he is facing for an April 3 incident at a Newton hotel.

Ronald E. Bedenbaugh, 53, of Des Moines was arrested in Polk County and transported to the Jasper County Jail Thursday. Newton Police alleged in April that he attempted to engage in sexual acts with a Newton woman in exchange for narcotics. Online court records show that he was scheduled to appear for a hearing on May 5. The warrant was issued by Judge Martha Mertz later that day.

The Newton Fire Department was dispatched to 2000 W. 18th St. S. at 5 p.m. April 3 when 29-year-old Kristina L. Snook was found unresponsive. Emergency crews reported the female was not breathing when they arrived on scene.

EMS personnel were able to revive Snook, and she explained that she had chewed and spit out a Fentanyl patch she received from Bedenbaugh

The male subject agreed to provide the narcotic opioid to Snook in exchange for sex. Police said that she put the patch in her mouth to get a more immediate high from the drug.

Bedenbaugh admitted to authorities that he gave Snook the Fentanyl and still had the wrapper in his motel room. After she took the drug, the two went down the motel’s bar area where Snook passed out.

Snook entered a written plea of guilty to prostitution charges on June 4 and is currently serving a 2-year probationary sentence.

Bedenbaugh is being held at the Jasper County Jail today on a $2,500 bond.

Mike Mendenhall can be contacted at (641) 792-3121 ext. 422 or via email at mmendenhall@newtondailynews.com.