Police Blotter
Newton Police Department
• Hank L. Benson, 24, of Newton was charged with child endangerment, serious domestic assault and possession of drug paraphernalia after officers were called to 500 N. Second Ave. E. #2. Benson allegedly threw the victim by her hair and punched her in the back while holding a 6-month-old child. Police observed that the victim had red marks on her back and located a pipe at the residence. Benson was taken to Jasper County Jail.
• Menquel J. Crigler, 43, of Elkhart Ind., was charged with two counts of forgery after officers were called to Loves Truck Stop at 3:42 p.m. Thursday. Crigler allegedly tried to pay with two fake $20 bills. He was taken to Jasper County Jail.
• Logan E. Harlow, 23, of Newton was charged with fifth-degree theft and five counts of forgery after officers were dispatched to investigate an ongoing incident at Jimmy John’s at 12:05 p.m. Sunday. Harlow allegedly stole a customer’s credit card information on Dec. 17 and used it to purchase two $75 gift cards to purchase sandwiches. Harlow was taken to Jasper County Jail.
• Jason L. Jolley, 36, of Newton was arrested for driving while license suspended in the 900 block of North Sixth Avenue East at 1:42 p.m. Friday. After officers stopped Jolley for a traffic violation, they discovered he had a suspended license. He was taken to Jasper County Jail.
• George W. Miller, 53, of Des Moines was charged with fourth-degree theft after officers investigated an incident that occurred at 4:32 p.m. Aug. 6 at 611 E. 19th St. N. The victim’s wife reported to police that her wedding ring was missing. Miller allegedly stole the ring and sold it. The ring’s value was $324.32. Officers found Miller in Des Moines, and he was taken to Jasper County Jail.
• Melissa R. Miller, 31, of Newton was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and interference with official acts after officers responded to a possible drug overdose at 11:57 p.m. Sunday at 621 N. Second Ave. W. #C. The female victim was taken to Skiff Medical Center. Officers found a glass pipe and grinder with marijuana residue at the residence. Miller allegedly threw bottles against the wall. She was taken to Jasper County Jail.
• Ryan M. Tool, 18, of Newton was arrested on a probation violation at 12:40 p.m. Friday at 411 S. 11th Ave. W. He was taken to jail.
• A 13-year-old and a 15-year-old were charged with public intoxication after authorities observed three minors walking after curfew at 1:41 a.m. Sunday in the 1000 block of First Street North. One of the minors dropped a can of beer. Kelsi A. McDaniels, 17, of Newton was with the two minors but did not have any alcohol in her system. They were given a warning for the curfew violation. The case was referred to juvenile authorities.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. It is the policy of the Newton Daily News to release the names of individuals charged with a crime who are 16 and older.
