Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad testified in a civil trial that he didn’t try to pressure a state official to quit in 2010 because he is gay. Branstad, now the U.S. ambassador to China, testified Friday in a civil trial in which he’s accused of discrimination against former Iowa Worker’s Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey. After being elected governor in 2010, Branstad sought Godfrey’s resignation. Godfrey sued in 2012, saying he was a victim of discrimination and retaliation.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — A homeless man charged in the killing of a former Iowa State University golfer has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. The Des Moines Register reports that 22-year-old Collin Richards entered the plea during a hearing Friday. Police say Richards fatally stabbed 22-year-old Celia Barquín Arozamena last September while she was playing a round at a public course in Ames, near the university campus, and leaving her body in a pond on the course.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha man convicted of a slew of armed bank robberies in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison. Federal prosecutors for Nebraska say 26-year-old Tyree Carney was sentenced Friday in Omaha’s federal courthouse. Carney also was ordered to pay nearly $193,000 in restitution to the banks. Carney had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and several counts of brandishing a gun during the spate of crimes between September 2016 and June 2017.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Officials in eastern Iowa say a 19-year-old man is behind bars after leading police on a chase and crashing into another vehicle, killing the driver. The Quad-City Times reports that Angel Domingo Ochoa, of Davenport, has been charged with vehicular homicide while driving recklessly and other counts. Police say an officer tried to stop Ochoa’s car Thursday and a chase ensued. Investigators say Ochoa was speeding and running red lights before hitting a car, killing 48-year-old Lori Ann Letts.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha man convicted of a slew of armed bank robberies in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison.

Federal prosecutors for Nebraska say 26-year-old Tyree Carney was sentenced Friday in Omaha’s federal courthouse. Carney also was ordered to pay nearly $193,000 in restitution to the banks. Carney had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and several counts of brandishing a gun during the spate of crimes between September 2016 and June 2017.

Prosecutors say Carney and another person robbed banks at gunpoint in the eastern Nebraska towns of Springfield and Murray, as well as banks in the western Iowa cities of Crescent and Underwood. Police say Carney tried to rob a bank in Bellevue, Nebraska, but was unsuccessful in getting any money there. Investigators say Carney and an accomplice also carjacked vehicles in Omaha to use as getaway cars in the robberies.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad testified Friday in a civil trial that he didn’t try to pressure a state official to quit in 2010 because he is gay but because he wanted someone who shared his political views about the state’s needs.

Branstad, a Republican who is now the U.S. ambassador to China, returned to Des Moines to testify for one day in the trial in which he’s accused of discriminating against former Iowa Worker’s Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey, who is a Democrat and is openly gay.

After being elected governor in 2010, Branstad sought Godfrey’s resignation and cut his pay by $39,000 when he refused. Godfrey, who was appointed to a six-year term by Democratic Gov. Chet Culver, sued in 2012, saying he was a victim of discrimination and retaliation.

Branstad testified he didn’t know Godfrey was gay until after cutting his salary and being threatened with a lawsuit, according to The Des Moines Register. “I have always treated everyone, gay or straight, with respect and dignity. That’s the way I have always operated,” Branstad said.

As worker’s compensation commissioner, Godfrey decided disputes between businesses and injured workers. Branstad said he’d heard from business groups that Godfrey wasn’t fair. Paige Fiedler, a lawyer for Godfrey, repeatedly asked Branstad if she evaluated Godfrey’s performance or sought the opinions of anyone other than those in the business community who had complained.

Branstad responded, “Well, a number of people did and I don’t know if they were business owners or not.” Although Branstad was opposed to a 2009 Iowa Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriage in the state, Branstad said he now support rights for lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender people. “People have accepted it and I support it,” he said.

The trial began June 5 and will continue in Polk County District Court next week.

(Update 6/15: The missing 11 year old female in Council Bluffs, child has been located)

The Council Bluffs Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating an 11-year old female runaway from Children’s Square USA (500 North 7th Street).

Jenna Bentrott

The child, Jenna Bentrott, was last seen at 6:03 pm in the area of North 16th Street and Avenue A in Council Bluffs. Bentrott is a white female with short Brown hair, wearing black and pink leggings and pink crocs shoes.

If you see her please contact the Council Bluffs Police Department 712-328-4728 or call 911.