DAVENPORT, Iowa – On Friday, July 21, 2023, a former professor at the University of Iowa was sentenced to 25 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine which resulted in the death of a victim, and 20 years in prison for possessing child pornography. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently, or at the same time.

According to court documents, since sometime in 2020, Dr. John Robert Muriello, 66, conspired with Eric Hojka of Iowa City, and others, to obtain and distribute methamphetamine in and around Iowa City. In May 2021, first responders went to Hojka’s apartment in Iowa City based on a report that a victim who had lost consciousness. Paramedics were unable to revive the victim and he was pronounced dead. An autopsy showed the victim ingested methamphetamine which caused his death. The investigation revealed the victim received that methamphetamine from Hojka. Hojka obtained the methamphetamine from Muriello, who had obtained the drugs from a supplier in California. When the police conducted a search at Muriello’s Iowa City residence in May 2021, they discovered methamphetamine and a large collection of child pornography.

In addition to the 25-year prison term, Muriello was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,000, a fine of $50,000, and assessments of $22,200. Muriello’s Iowa City residence was also forfeited. After his prison term, Muriello was also ordered to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa City Police Department and the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office investigated the case.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Guthrie County report a man from Polk County was injured Monday evening in Bayard, when he was struck by an SUV while he was putting air in the tires of his SUV. Authorities say 26-year-old Justin Lee Kaltved, of Des Moines, was transported by Panora EMS to the Greene County Hospital following the accident, which happened at around 7:30-p.m., Monday.

According to the sheriff’s report, 28-year-old Rodney James Blackmon, of Bayard, was driving a 1999 Subaru Forester westbound on 2nd Street in Bayard. He told authorities he looked to his left to see kids in the park, and when didn’t see Kaltved until it was too late. Justin Kaltved was in the open doorway of his 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was parked illegally at the end of the driveway to 202 2nd Street, and working to put air in a tire, when he was hit. A report on his condition was not released.

Blackmon told deputies in addition to being distracted, the sun in his eyes also contributed to his not seeing Kaltved. Blackmon was cited for Failure to Stop in an Assured Clear Distance. Damage from the collision amounted to $5,000.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports the arrest at around 5:25-p.m., Monday, of 53-year-old Tony Dean Fizer. The Creston man was arrested at the intersection of Oak and Irving, and charged with Driving while Barred. Fizer was taken to the Union County Jail, and later released on bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue reports six people were arrested between July 18th and the 22nd. Three people were arrested last Saturday (7/22), in Atlantic:

• 52-year-old Ysota Rekis, and 24-year-old Tarek Bunan, both of Atlantic, were arrested for Public Intoxication. And,
• 24-year-old Geraldo Route, of Portland, OR, was arrested for Possession or Carrying of Dangerous Weapons while Under the Influence.

On Thursday, July 20th, Atlantic Police arrested 31-year-old Stephen Ross, of Atlantic. Ross was taken into custody on a Cass County warrant for Violation of Probation.

On July 19th, 34-year-old Jennifer Larson, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear in Court.

And, on July 18th, 34-year-old Alen Sisira, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. With the exception of Jennifer Larson, all subjects arrested were being held in the Cass County (IA) Jail as of Monday, July 24th.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The driver of a semi tractor trailer was injured when the vehicle, which was hauling meat, left eastbound Interstate 80 and went into the south ditch, near the Elk Horn Exit (Exit 173), Monday evening. The accident happened at around 5:30-p.m.

The driver of the truck, who was trapped until rescue crews arrived, was transported by Cass EMS to Cass Health in Atlantic, before being flown to a trauma center.
Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies, the Marne, and Atlantic Fire Departments, along with Cass EMS and Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon assisted the Iowa State Patrol at the scene.

The DNR was notified also, about a fuel leak coming from the semi’s tractor.

Photo via Cass County EMC Mike Kennon

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak say a woman was arrested Monday evening on a Pottawattamie County warrant. 29-year-old Nicole Anne Kimpson, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 7:42-p.m. on the warrant for Violation of Probation on original charges of Child Endangerment and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Her bond at the Montgomery County Jail was set at $5,000.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A semi tractor-trailer’s mechanical issues resulted in a an SUV being struck by pieces of the trailer’s brake shoes. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the driver of the semi, Jorge Urizar, of Bakersfield, CA, told deputies that he lost the set of dual tires on the trailer. He stopped and picked them up before continuing west on Highway 34.

While back on the road, the brake shoes fell off of the axle of the semi’s trailer, and damaged a 2020 Jeep Wagoneer, driven by Brandon Bennett, of Arlington, WA. The accident happened at around 4:30-p.m. The SUV sustained disabling damage. Urizar was cited for Driving or Towing an Unsafe Vehicle. No injuries were reported.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted by Red Oak Police.