The two candidates running for Sheriff in Page County, Friday, issued a joint statement to make the public aware that theft of, damage, desecration, or destruction of a political sign is a violation of Iowa code (716) defined as Criminal Mischief.The warning comes on the heels of signs for incumbent Sheriff Lyle Palmer and his challenger, Chief Deputy Jake Daly. Both men have filed to run on the Republican ticket for the June 7th Primary.

The Sheriff and his Chief Deputy said they “Both have had signs stolen and now have had a sign damage / desecrated by someone. To put it bluntly we have more serious incidents / investigations to work on at this time. While this is not a crime that usually engulfs a lot of our time in Law Enforcement, if it continues it will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.”

They warned that “There are different degrees of this (Iowa) code with enhancements that carry serious penalties. The penalties can carry jail / prison sentences from 30 days in the County jail and up to two (2) years in state prison depending on the damage.”