In Greene County district court Conner Laine Groves, 28, of Scranton was sentenced Nov. 19 to 15 years and two days in prison in a case in which a jury found her guilty June 24 of five criminal counts. The charges related to a house fire in Churdan Oct. 2, 2023. Sentences were as follows: arson- second degree, 10 years; fraudulent submission to insurer, five years; and possession of marijuana, two days. Those terms are consecutive, for a total of 15 years and two days. Groves was sentenced to 10 years in prison on a charge of fraudulent practice greater than $10,000 and five years on a charge of conspiracy to commit a non-forceable felony. Those terms are concurrent to the first three. A pre-sentence investigation had been done; a “lack of remorse” was among the reasons for the prison term. Groves will be given credit for 170 days served in jail while awaiting sentencing. Fines and surcharges were suspended, but she must pay pecuniary damages of $8,423.46 to Elizabeth Gerwulf and $280,574.23 to Century Mutual Insurance Association. She must pay court costs and restitution for her court appointed attorney’s fees if the court finds her able to do so. (Sentencing: Honorable John R. Flynn)
Craig Robert Arthur, 48, of Ogden was sentenced to two years in prison on a charge of unauthorized use of credit less than $1,500, and to two years in prison on a charge of theft-third degree. Both prison terms were suspended; they will be consecutive if they are imposed at some time. He was placed on probation to the Iowa Department of Corrections for two years. He must pay a $855 fine with a $128.25 surcharge on each of the two charges. A charge of burglary- second degree was dismissed. Court costs were $342.10. Two counts of theft- fifth degree in magistrate court were dismissed. (Sentencing: Honorable Adria Kester)
Kim M. Asingho, 33, of Jefferson was fined $250 with a $37.50 surcharge on a charge of operating without a valid driver’s license, amended from driving while license suspended. Court costs were $100. (Sentencing: Honorable James B. McCarville)
Brian Lee Hiveley, 40, of Scranton was sentenced to 180 days in jail after he changed his plea to guilty to a charge of operating while intoxicated. All but two days of the jail term was suspended and he was placed on probation to Boone/Greene County Probation for one year. He may complete the Des Moines Area Community College 48-hour alcohol education program in lieu of the jail time. He must undergo a substance abuse evaluation and complete any recommended treatment at his own expense, and he must complete a drinking drivers course. Hively was fined $1,250 with a $187.50 surcharge; one-half will be waived if he obtains a temporary restricted license. He must pay an amount not to exceed $500 for his court-appointed attorney’s fees and $100 court costs. (Sentencing: McCarville)
Persons pleaded not guilty to charges as follows: Roger Keith Ketchum Jr, 27, of Jefferson, assault causing bodily injury/mental illness; Travis Douglas Stanek, 33, of Grand Junction, domestic abuse assault impeded blood/air flow causing bodily injury; Richard Allen Keller, 44, of Grand Junction. assault causing bodily injury or mental illness and criminal mischief- second degree, and in a separate case, interference with official acts- dangerous weapon, and possession of methamphetamine- third or subsequent offense; and Conner Laine Groves, 28, of Scranton, tampering with juror. A trial date was set for Sept. 30 for Groves and for Dec. 9 for all other defendants listed.
Cases were initiated in district court as follows: Brittany Kay Smith, 38, of Jefferson, possession of marijuana- second offense and possession of methamphetamine- second offense; Haleigh Marie Conover, 38, of Montezuma, operate vehicle without owner’s consent; and Devin William Holm Morales, 29 of Jefferson, possession of marijuana- second offense, and possession of methamphetamine- second offense.
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