(DES MOINES) – The Iowa Department of Corrections is reporting another Work Release escape. 40-year old Felix Gomez, convicted of Domestic Abuse Assault, 3rd or Subsequent Offense and other crimes in Polk County, failed to report back to the Fort Des Moines Residential Facility as required Sunday night.  Gomez is a white (Hispanic) male, 5-feet eight-inches tall, weighing 263 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on July 24, 2018.  Persons with information on Gomez’s whereabouts should contact local police. (See his picture under this same story on the kjan.com News page)

Felix Gomez

On Sunday, the Iowa DOC reported 22-year old Devin Kesean Dock also failed to return to the Ft. Des Moines Residential Facility.

The Sac County Sheriff’s Office is warning motorists to be cautious when approach the 4-lane Highway 20, especially on that stretch of road that just opened between Early and Holstein. Authorities say two crashes have occurred at M-43 and Highway 20 since it opened last Thursday morning. No serious injuries or fatalities have been reported. The problem, according to Sheriff’s officials, is that drivers are used to two-way traffic on the westbound lane, and crossing the eastbound lanes to get over to the other lanes.

Although the intersections are marked with rumble strips, stop ahead and stop signs, drivers using M-43 have pulled into the paths of eastbound semi-tractor trailers. Authorities have also received reports of eastbound traffic in the westbound lane between M-43 north and M-43 south, in Sac County. The Sheriff’s Office says it’s working with the Sac County Secondary Roads Department, in an effort to better warn traffic about the intersections.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A northern Iowa businessman accused of an ethanol plant scam has been imprisoned. Court records say Darrell Smith, of Forest City, was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids to 14 years and seven months in prison. He’d pleaded guilty to wire fraud and identity theft. Smith also was ordered to pay restitution of nearly $1.06 million.

Federal officials say the charges are related to Smith’s investment of clients’ money into an ethanol plant in Hopkinton. Officials say that on several occasions, Smith transferred money from clients’ accounts — against their will and without their knowledge — into his bioenergy fund. Investigators say he used either pre-signed, blank authorization forms or forged his clients’ signatures.

He’d also been imprisoned for failing to pay employment taxes.

A man who showed up at the Pottawattamie County Jail Friday morning to visit an inmate, was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant. 42-year old Richard Henry Rapp, of Council Bluffs was booked into the Pott. County Jail on a Page County warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice. His bond was set at $10,000. A disturbance in Underwood Friday night resulted in the arrest of a Council Bluffs man. 22-year old Nico Juan Lilly was arrested for 1st Degree Harassment by intimidation, an aggravated misdemeanor. His bond was set at $2,000.

20-year old Jake Marie Jerkovich, of Council Bluffs, an inmate at the Pott. County Jail, was charged with Criminal Mischief in the 5th degree, after she allegedly damaged a phone receiver and cord. The damage, which occurred at around 5-a.m., was estimated at $100. And, 25-year old Tanner Jeffrey Dehaai, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for allegedly taking a pumpkin valued at about $6, from a Hy-Vee store on West Broadway Street in Council Bluffs, Sunday night. After the merchandise was returned, and Dehaai was issued a citation for Theft in the 5th Degree, before being released with a court date for Oct. 23rd.

A traffic stop at around 7:25-a.m. today (Monday), in Red Oak, resulted in a woman’s arrest on a drug charge. Red Oak Police say 24-year old Natacia Raynae Houston, of Red Oak, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana. Houston was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond.

THOMPSON, Iowa (AP) — The remains of a World War II soldier killed in action have returned home to Iowa after more than 70 years buried as an unknown at an American military cemetery in France. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that Iowa Army National Guard members fired a 21-gun salute on Saturday to honor Army Pvt. Donald Brown, who was buried at a cemetery in Thompson. Brown died in 1944 when his tank was destroyed by enemy fire near Cambernon, France. But his remains were unable to be identified. His name was recorded alongside other missing veterans at an American Battle Monuments Commission site in France.

Brown’s remains were accounted for in June after family members submitted DNA for testing. His niece, Alison Conrad, says she regrets that no one from Brown’s generation could see the burial.

Sheriff’s deputies in Page County, Sunday, arrested a Clarinda man. 19-year old Austin Ray Gardner was taken into custody on an Adams County Warrant for Controlled substance violation. He was arrested during a traffic stop on Highway 2, about seven-miles east of Shenandoah. Gardner was processed at the Page County Jail and then transported to the Adams County Jail because he was unable to post a $5,000 cash-only bond.

Austin Gardner

HUXLEY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a woman and her son were rescued from a house fire that killed a man in central Iowa. Station KCCI reports that the blaze erupted around 6 a.m. Sunday in Huxley. Two other people in the house had escaped unharmed by the time firefighters arrived, but rescuers had to break a bedroom window to free the 44-year-old woman and her 17-year-old son.

Fire officials say 47-year-old Brett Van Ersvelde died at a Des Moines hospital. The woman and her son were taken to hospitals for treatment of smoke inhalation. It’s believed the fire started in the kitchen. The cause is being investigated.

The Creston Police Department reports two arrests took place, Sunday. 42-year old Kevin Cavin, of Creston, was arrested at around 3:20-a.m. for OWI/2nd offense. He was later released on a $2,000 bond. And, 32-year old Ryan Weis, of Creston, was arrested at around 11:30-a.m. Sunday for Driving While Revoked. He was later released on a $1,000 bond.

And, 34-year old Amber Smith, of Creston, was cited Saturday evening for allowing an animal to run at large. She was released on the citation.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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