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Weekly Record, Feb. 4

Arrest Report – Tama County Jail

February 4-10, 2022

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Feb. 4

Michael Allan Small, 57, of Garwin was arrested by the Tama County Sheriff’s Office on six counts of child endangerment and one count of domestic assault (choking).

Feb. 5

Juan Manuel Araujo Rocha, 34, of Tama was arrested by Tama Police for OWI (1st offense). Araujo Rocha was released on Feb. 6 on his own recognizance.

Feb. 6

Michelle Duncan, 51, of Grinnell was arrested by the Tama County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for failure to appear in court.

Feb. 7

Curtis Vince Higginbotham, 41, of Cedar Rapids was arrested by the Tama County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for failure to appear in court. Higginbotham was released the same day by an order of the court.

Amber Marie Mundt, 40, of Traer was arrested by the Tama County Sheriff’s Office for possession of a controlled substance, drug trafficking (meth), drug tax stamp violations, possession of drug paraphernalia, keeping of a vehicle or premise for the purpose of a controlled substance and for operating a tattoo parlor without a permit.

A juvenile was arrested by the Tama County Sheriff’s Office on one count of 2nd degree sex abuse.

A juvenile was arrested by the Tama County Sheriff’s Office on three counts of 2nd degree sex abuse.

John Paul Laganiere, 27, of Chester was arrested by Toledo Police for OWI (1st offense), driving while barred, interference with official acts, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to provide proof of financial liability, improper registration plate lamp, operating a vehicle without a valid drivers license and for driving under suspension. Laganiere was released on Feb. 8 on his own recognizance.

Feb. 8

Tyson Alan Hinders, 34, of Clemons was arrested by Meskwaki Police on one count of 5th degree theft. Hinders was released the same day by an order of the court.

Thomas Kevin Gomes, 63, of Clutier was arrested by the Tama County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for five counts of violating the felon in control of a firearm regulation.

A juvenile was arrested by the Tama County Sheriff’s Office for two counts of 1st degree harassment.

Feb. 9

Derick Gaylord Bear, 27, of Montour was arrested by Toledo Police for OWI (1st offense), improper use of lanes and failure to provide proof of financial liability. Bear was released the same day on his own recognizance.

Dean Thomas O’Regan, 57, of Marion was arrested by Meskwaki Police for violation of probation.

COURT NEWS

Scott James Lewis, 18, of Traer filed a written arraignment and plea of guilty on Jan. 4, 2022, in district court to three counts of harassment in the first degree after previously pleading not guilty to the charges on Nov. 22, 2021. A jury trial had been set for Feb. 14, 2022, but was not needed due to the change in plea. Charges stem from an incident that took place on or near the North Tama County School District grounds on Oct. 20, 2021. According to the criminal complaint, the Tama County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to North Tama School located at 605 Walnut Street in Traer for a student out of control. The student, Lewis, was yelling and cursing down the hallway of the school and also made a statement that he wanted to kill someone. Lewis was taken into custody. A no contact order was issued that same day ordering Lewis not to be within 200 feet of North Tama County Schools. Lewis waived his right to a delay before sentencing and requested immediate sentencing. Lewis also requested a deferral of judgment. The judgment was deferred on each count and Lewis was sentenced to supervised probation for a period of one year subject to the condition that Lewis commits no further violations of the law, simple misdemeanor traffic offenses excepted. Lewis was also ordered to pay a civil penalty of $855 for each of the three counts. Lewis was also ordered to make victim restitution and pay court costs. The reason given for the deferred judgment were Lewis’ age, employment, family circumstances, prior record, the facts and circumstances of the offense, and the belief that his sentence will provide the greatest benefit to both Lewis and the community. A sentencing no contact order was issued on Jan. 7, 2022, that ordered Lewis not to be within 200 feet of North Tama County Schools. The order extends to Jan. 5, 2027. Lewis was represented by attorney Scott Hunter of the Marshalltown Public Defender’s Office.

Cheyenne Marie Rucker, 21, of Toledo filed a written arraignment and a plea of guilty in district court on Feb. 3 to lesser charges including Count 1 of assault causing bodily injury (serious misdemeanor) and Count 3 of escape (serious misdemeanor). Rucker also plead guilty to Count 4 of child endangerment (aggravated misdemeanor). Charges stem from an incident that took place on Jan. 1, 2022, at a residence in Toledo. According to the criminal complaint, Rucker committed a domestic assault by grabbing the victim’s sweatshirt hood and dragging the victim to the ground using forceful pressure to the neck causing bruising consistent with strangulation. Rucker was holding her minor child at the time of the assault placing the child in immediate danger. Following her arrest, Rucker escaped custody through the window of a marked patrol vehicle. Rucker was later apprehended at a family member’s house in Toledo. Rucker was sentenced to the following: a combined period of 180 days in the custody of the Tama County Sheriff for the three counts; fines totaling $860; a 15 percent crime services surcharge; victim restitution. Rucker also lost firearm rights. Count 2 of neglect or abandonment of a dependent person (Class C felony) was dismissed. Rucker’s jail sentence in each count was suspended. Rucker was placed on supervised probation for a period of one year. Rucker is represented by attorney Scott Hunter of the Marshalltown Public Defender’s Office.