In Greene County district court Andrew Vernon Wempe, 42, of Scranton was sentenced Sept. 8 to one year in jail after he changed his plea to guilty to a charge of possession of methamphetamine. The jail term was suspended and he was placed on probation to Boone/Greene County Probation for one year. He must complete a substance abuse evaluation and all treatment recommendations at his own expense. He was fined $430 with a $64.50 surcharge; both were suspended. He must pay an amount not to exceed $750 as restitution for his court appointed attorney’s fees. A charge against Wempe in magistrate court of possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed. Court costs were assessed to the state. (Sentencing: Honorable Joseph B. McCarville)
Maya Renee Benavides, 22, of Fort Dodge was sentenced to two years in prison after she pleaded guilty to a charge of operating motor vehicle without owner’s consent, amended from theft- second degree. The prison term was suspended, but will be consecutive to a Black Hawk County term if it’s ever served. Benavides was placed on probation to the Iowa Department of Correctional Services for two years. She was fined $855 with a $128.25 surcharge; both were suspended. The court found she is unable to pay restitution for her court appointed attorney’s fees or court costs. (Sentencing: McCarville)
Jason William Sheldahl, 54, of Grand Junction was sentenced to 30 days in jail after he pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a controlled substance- second offense, amended from possession of a controlled substance- third offense. He was given credit for time served and may serve the remaining time in 10-day increments. He must undergo a substance abuse evaluation and complete any treatment recommendations at his own expense. Sheldahl was fined $430 with a $64.50 surcharge. He must pay an amount not to exceed $300 restitution for his court appointed attorney’s fees. Court costs were $271.91. (Sentencing: McCarville)
Taylor Christine Shaw, 33, of Dubuque was sentenced to one year in jail after she changed her plea to guilty to a charge of driving while license revoked. The jail term was suspended and she was placed on probation to Boone/Greene County Probation for one year. She must undergo a substance abuse evaluation and complete any recommended treatment at her own expense. Shaw was sentenced to 180 days in jail on a charge of possession of marijuana. That jail term was also suspended; the two terms will be consecutive if they’re imposed. She was fined $100 with a $15 surcharge on that charge; both were suspended. She must pay an amount not to exceed $600 restitution for her court appointed attorney’s fees and $100 court costs. (Sentencing: McCarville)
Travis Michael Heinz, 32, of Vinton was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with all but 30 days suspended, after he changed his plea to guilty to a charge of domestic abuse assault- second offense. The 30 days will be consecutive to jail terms in two other Greene County cases. He was placed on probation to the Iowa Department of Correctional Services for two years. He must complete an approved Iowa domestic abuse program. Heinz was fined $855 with a $128.25 surcharge; both were suspended. He must pay a $90 domestic abuse assault surcharge and an amount not to exceed $500 restitution for his court appointed attorney’s fees. (Sentencing: McCarville)
Persons pleaded not guilty to charges as follows: Jeremy Wayne Alvis Beason, 27, of Jefferson, possession of marijuana; Anthony Jospeh Nunez, 58, of Jefferson, domestic abuse assault- third or subsequent offense; and Andrew Vernon Wempe, 42, of Scranton, harassment- first degree. Trial dates were set for Dec. 9 in every case.
Cases were initiated in district court as follows: Melanie Marie Smith, 25, of Jefferson, possession of marijuana and gathering where marijuana is used; Stephanie Denise Perry, 68, of Jefferson, gambling- false statement on application; and Karen Lenore Gillman, 61 of Scranton, possession of marijuana.
