Newton Police Department
• Drew C. Sokol, 28, of Mason City, was charged with fifth degree theft 4 p.m. July 1 in the 2600 block of First Avenue East. According to the Newton Police Department, officers responded to a call for a possible shoplifter. Upon arrival officers made contact with Sokol and the store clerk who said Sokol walked out of the store without paying for the items. Sokol said he found property in the persons car that belonged to the store. The store clerk said he had not sold these since 2019. Sokol said he had taken these items and placed the gloves into his pants. The total of the gloves is approximately $50. Sokol was cited and released to appear in court.
• Aaron M. Niehus, 37, of Newton, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication at 11:41 p.m. July 2 in the 100 block of First Avenue East. According to the Newton Police Department, officers were dispatched to an alley in reference to a male sleeping on the ground. Upon arrival officers located Niehus. Niehus was difficult to wake but did come to after several attempts. Niehus had a strong smell of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, bloodshot, watery eyes and was unsteady on his feet. Niehus made admissions to to being intoxicated but refused to attempt sobriety tests or submit to a PBT. Niehus was taken into custody without incident and transported to the NPD. Also located next to Niehus at the time officers arrived was a small fold of paper containing a green leafy substance consistent with that of marijuana and a marijuana smoking pipe. These items were seized with the substance weighing 1.6G. Niehus was cited and released to appear in court.
• Richard E. Keller, 38, of Ames, was charged with driving while barred, possession of a controlled substance and interference with official acts at 6:43 p.m. July 3 in the 700 block of East First Avenue. According to the Newton Police Department, officers observed Keller operating a vehicle while having a barred driving status. Officers were able to make contact with Keller in the lobby of McDonalds and discovered through dispatch that Keller had an active warrant for his arrest. When officers attempted to place Keller under arrest for his warrant he attempted to flee on foot and actively resist with officers in an attempt to escape. Once compliance was obtained Keller admitted he had a controlled substance on his person and upon a search three clear plastic baggies containing 6.4 grams of a crystal like substance were discovered. Keller was also arrested on a Jasper County warrant for a probation violation on a sex offender registration violation. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Julie L. Hurley-Richardson, 59, of Newton, was arrested at 12:13 am July 2 at in the 700 block of First Avenue East on a Jefferson Police Department warrant on a fifth degree theft and taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Eric J. Padron, 22, of Newton, was charged with domestic abuse at 2:52 a.m. July 4 in the 300 block of North Third Avenue West. According to the Newton Police Department, officers were dispatched to Lionsgate Apartments for a physical domestic in progress. Upon arrival, officers identified Padron and was leaving the apartment. The victim said Padron came home intoxicated and began fighting about money. The argument escalated and the victim was hit in the left ear and face causing redness and was then pushed down and fell onto a corner toy chest causing a cut on her side. There was another witness who confirmed the incident. Padron did have a swollen left eye that was punched to get him away from the victim. The victim stated this isn't the first time she has been injured. Padron was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Brandon H. Cornelison, 39, of Newton, was charged with third-degree harassment at 9:36 p.m. June 24 in the 100 block of West Fourth Street South. According to the Newton Police Department the victim changed her phone number due to ongoing messages from Cornelison in attempt to cease communication. Cornelison somehow discovered her new number and continued contacting her via text and the victim blocked his number. The victim then received texts from an unknown number. This phone number sent lewd, offensive messages and mentioned other people the victim knew. The victims Facebook account was was also "hacked" and she suspects Cornelison. While at the NPD, Cornelison began texting the victim from his phone. In this message Cornelison stated "I didn't mean anything I txt earlier..." "yea I got mad so what I said some thing I wish I wouldn't have but what you expect." While at the police station, the victim also received a phone call and a male answered. Officers identified themselves and the male hung up. The victim stated it was Cornelison's voice. During an interview Cornelison corroborated much of the victim's story. The victim stated Cornelison did not have access to her information. Cornelison however stated he was allowed access and told the victim's pin when she purchased the phone. Cornelison admitted knowing that the victim had changed her phone number due to access to her Straight Talk account.
