March 19, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police Department

• Hank L. Benson, 25, of Kellogg was charged with violation of a no-contact order after authorities stopped a vehicle at 1:09 p.m. April 15 in the 700 block of North Sixth Avenue East after observing Benson, a passenger in the vehicle, not wearing a seatbelt. Authorities determined there was a no-contact order between Benson and the driver, and he was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Jeremy J. Jones, 21, of Newton was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of pills with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while license suspended after authorities stopped him at 11:35 a.m. April 15 in the 700 block of North Sixth Avenue East for driving with a suspended license. Jones admitted to having “dope” in the vehicle. During a search, authorities found eight baggies of methamphetamine weighing 3.8 grams, four baggies and a small jar of marijuana weighing 6.7 grams, five valium pills and one morphine pill. Authorities also found a scale with meth and marijuana residue, two marijuana pipes, a burnt roach with residue, a one-hitter with residue and a glass meth pipe with residue. Jones also had $96 in cash. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• A 15-year-old Newton female was cited with failure to maintain control after authorities responded to an accident at 8:19 a.m. April 15. The girl was traveling east in the 700 block of South Fifth Avenue West when she struck a parked vehicle owned by Danial Vasquez of Newton, causing an estimated $3,000 damage to his vehicle and an estimated $4,000 damage to her vehicle.

Jasper County Sheriff’s Office

• Christopher S. Fields, 22, of Kellogg was charged with public intoxication after authorities observed him walking at 3:17 a.m. Friday in the 9000 block of Impala Avenue. Fields smelled of alcohol and fell down twice. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Christopher J. Lehrkamp, 27, and Bradford K. Lehrkamp, 31, both of Newton, each were charged with simple domestic abuse assault after authorities responded to a complaint at 6:55 p.m. April 16 at 301 Highway S52 N. of a male with a knife. A witness reported both men were fighting on the front lawn. Christopher stated Bradford chased him with a knife, and Bradford stated Christopher grabbed him by his shirt and ripped it off. Both were charged and transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Eric L. Smith, 36, of Newton was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated after authorities stopped him at 9:50 p.m. April 17 at Park Lane and Emerson Hough Drive. He failed sobriety tests, and a breath test indicated a BAC of .165. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

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.