Newton Police Department
• Benjamin T. Gordon, 44, of Newton was charged with violation of no contact order on two separate occasions and possession of drug paraphernalia. According to the Newton Police Department, at 5:25 p.m. Dec. 14 officers were called to a residence in the 400 block of Fifth Avenue West on a report of a violation of no contact order. The victim advised Gordon took the victim’s phone and would not give it back. The victim also said Gordon was at the home. When police arrived, Gordon answered the door. He had been served the no contact order Dec. 7. He was placed under arrest. During the search, officers found a meth pipe in Gordon’s left cargo pocket. Then at 6:11 p.m. Dec. 18, officers were dispatched to the same residence on a report of an unwanted guest. Jasper County Dispatch advised that Gordon was in the residence and refused to leave and also advised officers the reporting party had an active no contact order against Gordon. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victim who stated Gordon was in the house when the victim arrived. The victim stated Gordon had keys to the house and that is how he was able to gain access. Before police arrived, Gordon had left the property. He was arrested Dec. 19 for violating the no contact order which prohibits him from being in the immediate vicinity of the victim’s residence or place of work. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Jerad O. Oldham, 40, of Newton, was charged with public intoxication at 11:50 p.m. Dec. 17 in the 700 block of First Avenue East. According to the Newton Police Department, Oldham went to emergency room to say he needed committed for some of the crimes he had done. He then left the ER and was located by police a short time later at New Star chugging a Natural Light beer. He told officers he was drunk and wanted to go to jail. He had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on his person with red, watery eyes. Officers also noted he had fast mood swings from calm to angry. He was arrested and taken to jail.
• Theresa L. Handsaker, 52, of Grinnell, was charged with fifth-degree theft at 3 p.m. Dec. 18 in the 300 block of Iowa Speedway Drive. According to the Newton Police Department, Handsaker was stopped by Walmart security after being observed to intentionally pass all points of sale with a shopping cart of merchandise. Her actions appeared to be deliberate with the intention to deprive the store of more than $200 worth of items. Handsaker was cited and released.
• James M. Fallon, 53, homeless, was charged with fifth-degree criminal mischief at 10:52 a.m. Dec. 8 in the 100 block of South Second Avenue East. According to the Newton Police Department, the victim came to the police department to report a domestic assault. The victim and Fallon had gotten into a verbal argument and the victim said Fallon had caused damage to the victim’s phone. Police spoke to Fallon who admitted to stomping on the victim’s cell phone while it was on the ground. The phone is worth $100. He was cited and released.
• Michelle S. Kohrs, 42, of Newton, was charged with domestic abuse assault at 2:04 p.m. Dec. 15 in the 1600 block of North Second Avenue West. According to the Newton Police Department, Kohrs assaulted the victim in the living room and kitchen of the residence. Her actions caused injuries to the victim’s head and arm. Kohrs was arrested and taken to jail. A no contact order was requested by the victim.
• Steven A. Pearson, 31, of Newton, was charged with driving while barred at 6:42 p.m. Dec. 15 in the 700 block of First Avenue East. According to the Newton Police Department, officers observed a vehicle traveling east on First Avenue East with a brake light out. Police initiated a traffic stop as the vehicle pulled into New Star. After making contact with the driver, identified as Pearson, he advised officers of his name and date of birth. After running his information, police found his driving status was barred with six withdrawals in effect. Pearson advised he knew he didn’t have a license but did not know his driving status. Additionally, Pearson was unable to provide insurance or registration. He was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail. During the incident, a passenger in the vehicle was identified as Thomas J. Vaughn, 37, of Monroe, who was also arrested on a Polk County warrant for dangerous drugs. He was taken to jail.
• Shaun M. Ludwig, 31, of Newton, was charged with fifth-degree theft at 8:32 p.m. Dec. 14 in the 300 block of Iowa Speedway Drive. According to the Newton Police Department, officers were dispatched to Walmart on a report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival, police spoke with assent protection who stated Ludwig left in a green car and showed officers Ludwig had left with a propane tank. Police made a traffic stop on a car that matched the vehicle seen in the video and made contact with Ludwig. His clothing matched the suspect given to dispatch. A propane tank was found in his possession and he admitted to taking it from the store. Ludwig was cited and released.
• Kristy L. Johnson, 41, of Newton was arrested at 1:30 a.m. Dec. 20 in the 1300 block of First Avenue West on a Prairie City Police Department warrant for third-degree burglary. She was taken to jail.
• Kyle E. Chance, 36, of Newton was arrested at 10:39 p.m. Dec. 18 in the 300 block of Iowa Speedway Drive on three Jasper County warrants, two for incompletion of serving a sentence and one for failure to appear on a driving while license suspended charge. He was taken to jail.