March 28, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police Department

• Megan Q. Beintema, 28, of Newton was charged with public intoxication and harassment of public officers after authorities responded to a burglary in progress at 11:28 p.m. June 5 at 611 E. Second St. S. in Newton. A witness stated he and Beintema had been drinking and that she kicked in a window at her own residence. Beintema was charged for allegedly being intoxicated and refusing to answer questions by authorities. She was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Kyle R. Bluhm, 21, of North Benton, Ohio, was charged with indecent exposure after authorities responded to a report of a man exposing himself at 9:01 p.m. June 5 at the Quality Inn in Newton. The female reporting party stated she was at her car in the parking lot when Bluhm walked toward her and appeared to be exposing himself. During the investigation, Bluhm told authorities the exposed penis had been a dildo. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Fred Bowah, 37, of Des Moines was charged with driving while license suspended and cited with operation without registration after authorities stopped him at 1:24 a.m. Friday in the 1900 block of North 11th Avenue East for having an expired registration. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Jacob A. Chamberlin, 19, address unknown, was charged with fourth-degree theft on June 5 following an investigation of an incident that occurred Jan. 28. Chamberlin allegedly took a friend’s laptop, valued at $250, when moving out of his residence. Chamberlin was located at 6:04 p.m. June 5 at a residence in the 800 block of South 13th Avenue East and transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Justin P. Doran, 32, of Newton was charged with driving while license suspended after authorities stopped him at 11:56 p.m. June 5 in the 100 block North Fifth Avenue West for having an expired registration. He was charged and released to appear in court.

• Jamie R. Lester, 22, of Newton was charged with driving while license suspended after authorities stopped her at 2:12 a.m. Monday in the 1000 block of North Fourth Avenue East. She was released to appear in court.

• Celeigh M. Meyer, 23, of Newton was cited with failure to maintain control after authorities responded to a two-vehicle accident at 5:01 p.m. Saturday in the 100 block of East 31st Street North. Meyer attempted to merge into another lane and struck a vehicle driven by Deborah K. Coulson, 56, of Ira. Both vehicles sustained an estimated $700 damage.

• A 12-year-old Newton girl was charged with fifth-degree theft after authorities responded to a theft at 4:51 p.m. June 5 at Petro Stop. She was charged for allegedly taking items valued at just over $6. She was referred to juvenile court services.

Jasper County

Sheriff’s Office

• Scott L. Harshman, 41, of Brooklyn was charged with interference with official acts after authorities stopped a vehicle in which he was a passenger at 1:13 a.m. May 31 in the 7200 block of Highway 6 East. Harshman allegedly became argumentative with authorities and shoved the hands of one deputy while he was shining a light on beer cans in the vehicle. He was transported to the Jasper County.

• Christopher J. Lehrkamp Sr., 27, of Newton was charged with child endangerment after authorities responded to an incident at 3:59 p.m. May 29 at 301 Highway S52 N. A witness stated Lehrkamp picked up a child after she got of the bus and then appeared to fall down and drop her. The witness also stated Lehrkamp stood, grabbed the child and then threw her to the ground. Authorities observed Lehrkamp smelled of alcohol. 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.