March 29, 2024

Police Blotter

Newton Police Department

• Three 15-year-old Newton boys were charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after authorities were made aware of a wanted juvenile at 10:51 p.m. July 2 at 818 E. 16th St. N. following a traffic stop. Police could smell marijuana coming from the garage where the boys were. The wanted juvenile was taken to the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center in Eldora.

• Two 15-year-old Newton girls were charged with fifth-degree theft after authorities were dispatched to Walmart at 5:05 p.m. June 28 in reference to a theft. They were charged for allegedly taking $22.93 in merchandise without paying and were referred to juvenile court services.

• Nathan M. Beintema, 31, of Newton was arrested at 8:23 p.m. July 11 on a warrant for failure to appear in court on an OWI charge after authorities located him in the 100 block of West Second Street North. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail. Beintema also was arrested at 11:52 p.m. July 12 after authorities were dispatched to 611 E. Second St. S. #2 in reference to an assault. He was charged for allegedly assaulting a female and transported to the jail.

• Sharonn K. Buckman, 77, of Newton was cited with unsafe backing on highway after authorities responded to an accident at 6:20 p.m. June 25 on South Fifth Avenue East. Buckman backed out of her driveway and struck a legally parked vehicle owned by Zachery W. Leach of Newton. Buckman’s vehicle was not damaged, but Leach’s vehicle sustained an estimated $500 damage.

• Paul L. Harris III, 25, of Newton was charged with for aggravated theft after authorities were called to Hy-Vee at 1:40 a.m. July 7. Harris was apprehended by Hy-Vee employees after he allegedly took merchandise totaling $27.64 without paying and attempted to assault one of the employees. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Terance J. McCuddin, 24, of Newton was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia after being stopped at 11:31 p.m. July 9 in the 100 block North Eighth Avenue East for having an inoperable brake light. McCuddin also was found to be wanted on a Polk County warrant for probation violation on an identity theft charge and a Story County warrant for probation violation on an OWI charge. McCuddin was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Sarah J. Neef, 33, of Newton was charged with fifth-degree theft after authorities responded to a theft complaint at 10:08 a.m. June 30 at Hy-Vee. She was charged for allegedly leaving the store with $18.96 in merchandise without paying. She was released to appear in court.

• Cassandra Y. Pence, 29, of Newton was arrested at 9:05 a.m. July 10 on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a possession of marijuana charge after authorities located her at 212 E. 12th St. N. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Rachel M. Scott, 18, of Newton was charged with fifth-degree theft after authorities were dispatched at 7:38 p.m. July 8 to Aleya Spa to take a theft report. She was charged for allegedly entering the store the evening before and taking merchandise valued at $133 without paying. Scott was apprehended at 2315 E. 19th St. N. Lot #106 by the sheriff’s office on an unrelated charge and was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Sashawn C. Smith, 28, of Newton was charged with driving with license suspended after authorities stopped her at 1:39 a.m. July 13 in the 100 block of E. 12th St. N. She was cited for driving while license suspended, operation without registration and warned for no insurance. She was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Josephine M. Thurmond, 19, of Newton was cited with unsafe entry onto roadway after authorities responded to an accident at 9:06 a.m. June 30 in the 700 block of East 15th Street North. Thurmond was cited for backing out of a driveway and colliding with a vehicle driven by Joan M. Brooks, 78, of Newton. Brooks’ vehicle sustained an estimated $600 damage and Thurmond’s an estimated $400 damage.

• Dylan J. Whitson, 28, of Newton was arrested at 10 a.m. July 10 on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a carrying weapons charge after authorities located him at 904 N. Sixth Ave. E. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail.

• Shelby R. Williams, 36, of Newton was charged with possessing contraband, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia after authorities located her at 5:53 p.m. June 26 at 820 E. Sixth St. N. to arrest her on several warrants. Williams drove by the house while police were there, and officers pursued her until she stopped in the 1000 block of East 12th Street North. She was charged for allegedly being in possession of .5 gram of methamphetamine, a digital scale and seven syringes. She was transported to the Jasper County Jail and also was found with another baggie containing .2 gram of meth once at the jail. Williams had been wanted on Jasper County warrants for failure to appear in court on charges of forgery, theft, drugs, assault and trespass.

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.