Newton Police
Department
• Stephanie L. Sparks, 38, of Newton, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia at 10:40 p.m. Jan. 15 in the 700 block of First Avenue West. According to the Newton Police Department, officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle that didn’t have any headlights on. The driver was identified as Sparks and her driver’s license was suspended. Newton police deployed the K9 unit on the vehicle and it alerted officers to the odor of illegal narcotics. Officers found a used syringe inside of a black purse in the vehicle Sparks admitted it was hers. Sparks also received two citations, was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Jeffrey A. Waddell, 44, of Newton, was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and disorderly conduct from an incident that occurred at 11:35 p.m. Dec. 6 in the 700 block of West Fifth Street South. According to the Newton Police Department, officers responded to a call for a fight in progress. Jasper County Dispatch told officers a male had hit the window of a car and was chasing a subject. Newton police arrived and made contact with the victim who said Waddell struck the vehicle’s drivers door window with a bat causing it to shatter. Officers saw shattered glass on the pavement next to the driver’s door of the vehicle and shattered glass inside the vehicle. The victim said Waddell also damaged the passenger side mirror assembly. Officers spoke with two witnesses who advised a male matching the description of Waddell was seen walking towards the vehicle with a bat-like object. The witnesses said they saw Waddell strike the vehicle with the bat-like object and reach into the vehicle while yelling at the vehicle. Officers were unable to locate Waddell and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Waddell was arrested on the warrants for the charges at 12:36 a.m. Jan. 17 in the 500 block of North Ninth Avenue West and taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• David E. Beason, 30, of Kalona, was charged with second-degree criminal mischief and assault at 5:58 p.m. Jan. 22 in the 200 block of North Fourth Avenue East. According to the Newton Police Department, officers responded to MercyOne Newton Medical Center regarding Beason who had been destroying a room. Beason barricaded himself in the room and when officers entered he became resistive. Beason would not respond to commands and officers had to go hands-on with an officers sustaining injuries from the encounter. Beason destroyed items in the room costing more than $1,000 but less than $10,000. Beason was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail.