Police Blotter
Newton Police Department
• Churie M. Congdon, 24, of Newton was charged with fifth-degree theft after officers responded to a shoplifting complaint at 5:20 p.m. Jan. 21 at Hy-Vee. Congdon and an unidentified person allegedly stole a bottle of liquor and food valued at $22.28. Officers determined the unidentified person was Rodney M. Savage, 27, of Newton. He was charged with aiding and abetting fifth-degree theft after officers located him at 324 W. Fourth St. S. #4. Both were taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Kenneth H. Dee, 55, of Mingo was charged with driving while license revoked and third-offense possession of methamphetamine and cited for failure to stop at a stop sign after officers stopped him at 7:34 p.m. Saturday in the 1900 block of South Seventh Avenue East for a traffic violation. While searching his vehicle, police discovered two bags of methamphetamine. Dee was taken to Jasper County Jail.
• Michele S. Kohrs, 34, of Newton was charged with and operating while intoxicated after officers stopped her in the 300 block of North Second Avenue East at 8:40 p.m. Friday for driving without headlights. Officers noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle, and Kohrs blood alcohol content was .207. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Robert C. Ringe, 47, was charged with driving while license suspended and driving with an open alcohol container after officer stopped him in the 2600 block of South 24th Avenue West at 3:13 p.m. Saturday. During the traffic stop, officers observed an open can of beer in the vehicle. Ringe was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
Jasper County Sheriff’s Office
• Shean D. Depping, 22, of Newton was charged with second-offense possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia after officers were called to 4346 Highway F36 W. at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Officers arrived at his house after his family reported that they suspected him of participating in drugs activities. His father gave consent to a search, and officers found multiple bags of marijuana and drug paraphernalia items. Depping was not home at the time of the search, but he returned home shortly after officers conducted the search. He was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Joshua C. Fales, 33, of Prairie City turned himself in to authorities on multiple outstanding warrants at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. His warrants were for failure to appear in court, driving while license barred and driving with an expired license. He is currently in the Jasper County Jail.
• Desire D. Phillips, 21, of Kellogg was arrested for operating while intoxicated after officers pulled her over for a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 6 and Highway T38 at 3:24 p.m. Saturday. According to police reports, Phillips admitted to drinking four beers earlier in the day. Her blood alcohol content was .142. She refused chemical testing and was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Mindie S. Woodard, 34, of Newton was charged with speeding, driving without insurance and driving without an valid driver’s license after officers pulled her over for a traffic violation at 5681 Highway 6 E. at 9:28 p.m. Saturday. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail.
Prairie City Police Department
• Heath E. Beck, 33, of Prairie City was arrested and charged with domestic assault – strangulation causing injury and obstruction of emergency communications after Prairie City Police were dispatched to a residence at 12:10 a.m. Jan. 20 in the 500 block of East Jefferson Street for an open line 911 call and domestic disturbance. Beck was charged for allegedly assaulting a 32-year-old Prairie City woman by grabbing, choking and otherwise assaulting her causing injuries. Authorities also determined Beck allegedly took the phone away from the victim when she was trying to call 911. Beck was transported to the Jasper County Jail. Beck was arrested again on Thursday after turning himself in at 2:30 a.m. on an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the Iowa Department of Corrections for probation violation. He was taken to jail.
• Camerina Gonzalez-Lizarraga, 24, of Ottumwa was arrested at 2 a.m. Jan. 22 on an outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear in court. Gonzalez-Lizarraga was placed in the Jasper County Jail.
• Milissa A. Group, 48, of Prairie City was arrested at 9:15 p.m. Jan. 15 on outstanding arrest warrants issued by the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Task Force for illegal possession of prescription drugs. Milissa was transported to the Jasper County Jail.
• Ali F. Rosenkranz, 19, of Knoxville was arrested at 1:05 a.m. Jan. 13 on an outstanding arrest warrant for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Rosenkranz was apprehended by the Des Moines Police Department and transferred to the custody of the Prairie City Police Department. Rosenkranz was placed in the Jasper County Jail.
• A 14-year-old Prairie City boy was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief after Prairie City police responded to a complaint of juveniles vandalizing playground equipment at the Prairie City Sports Complex at 3:11 p.m. Jan. 17. Damage was estimated at $326.14. Following an investigation, the 14-year-old boy was charged and referred to Juvenile Court Services.
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.
