Newton Police
Department
• Thomas L. Russell, 28, of Sigourney, was charged with driving with license denied or revoked at 11:13 p.m. May 4 in the 300 block of Iowa Speedway Drive. According to the Newton Police Department, officers were conducting a routine patrol when they observed a vehicle traveling southbound on Iowa Speedway Drive with an expired registration. Officers initiated the traffic stop and exited the patrol car, identifying Russell as the driver. After running his information through the system, officers found his driving status as revoked for an OWI test failure effective until October 2019. Russell was placed under arrest and transported to the Jasper County Jail.
• Paul F. Tokpa, 39, of Newton, was charged with operating under the influence second offense, driving while license suspended and failure to provide proof of insurance at 5:38 p.m. May 5 in the 1200 block of West 18th Street South. According to the Newton Police Department, officers were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident at Casey’s West with a report that one of the drivers may be impaired. Upon arrival, officers spoke to Tokpa and could smell an odor of alcohol from him. He was also unable to follow simple directions, swayed while standing and had bloodshot, watery eyes. The officer asked Tokpa about four times if he would take a standard field sobriety test, which he declined. He also declined to give a preliminary breath test. Tokpa was placed under arrest and taken to the Jasper County Jail.