Newton Police Department
• Two Newton brothers —24-year-old Derek M. Schmidt and 22-year-old Dustin E. Schmidt — each were charged with serious domestic assault after authorities responded to a report of two subjects fighting at 11:27 p.m. Wednesday at 1102 N. Fourth Ave E. in Newton. Police observed the men fighting with a beer bottle and pool cue. Dustin was bleeding from mouth, and Derek had small lacerations on his right hand and forearm. Both were charged and taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Jason L. Ray, 32, of Newton was cited with unsafe entry onto roadway after authorities responded to an accident at 3:57 p.m. Wednesday in the 700 block of First Avenue East. Ray was cited for backing his pickup truck into an eastbound vehicle driven by Emilee J. Mundell, 16, of Newton while plowing snow. Damage was estimated at $1,000 to Mundell’s vehicle and $3,500 to Ray’s truck. No one was injured.
• Jesse R. Sheridan, 19, of Newton was charged with possession of marijuana after authorities stopped him at 6:34 p.m. Jan. 18 in the 600 block of South Third Avenue West for equipment violations. Officers observed a clear plastic bag on the car floorboard, and the contents tested positive for marijuana. Sheridan was released to appear in court.
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.