WATERLOO, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Public Safety reports that on December 15, 2024, the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation with a death investigation involving a male who died while in the custody of Black Hawk County deputies.

At about 6:55 p.m., deputies with the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office heard radio traffic of a vehicle pursuit initiated by the Waterloo Police Department. The vehicle, a 2011 white Ford Crown Victoria, was reported to be traveling at a high rate of speed over 90 mph while driving northbound in the southbound lanes of travel along Logan Avenue (Highway 63). At one point during the pursuit, the vehicle struck a civilian vehicle and continued to flee from officers. Waterloo police officers terminated the pursuit due to the danger the fleeing vehicle presented within city limits. The fleeing vehicle continued north out of Waterloo.

At about 7:16 p.m., a Black Hawk County deputy observed the same 2011 white Ford Crown Victoria traveling on Cedar Wapsi Road north of Waterloo city limits. The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle and again the vehicle refused to stop. Deputies chased the vehicle for approximately nine miles at speeds over 90 mph. Deputies were able to disable the vehicle near the intersection of Highway 63 and Highway 3 when it struck stop sticks that had been deployed by a Bremer County deputy.

The driver, later identified as Willie Earl Washington, 42, of Waterloo, Iowa, was removed from the car by deputies and handcuffed. Washington became unresponsive while handcuffed on the ground. Deputies administered CPR and an ambulance was dispatched, but Washington did not respond and later died. The pursuit and arrest were recorded on several vehicle cameras and officer body worn cameras.

An autopsy is scheduled for December 17, 2024 at the Office of the Iowa State Medical Examiner. Upon completion, the results of the investigation will be forwarded to the Bremer County Attorney’s Office for review.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa report two Nebraska men and two Iowa men were sentenced for conspiracy to provide false statements during the purchase of firearms.

According to public court documents, in late October 2022 through May 2023, Alfredo Rios, Jr., 28, a Nebraska resident, Christian Javier Rios Magana, 23, a Nebraska resident, Martin Velazquez Trujillo, 49, an Iowa resident, and Victor Alfonso Magana-Ahumada, 38, an Iowa resident, conspired to make false statements to federally licensed firearm dealers to fraudulently obtain firearms. As part of the conspiracy, the firearms purchasers falsely stated they were the actual transferee or buyer of the firearm. The fraudulently acquired firearms were illegally shipped to Mexico.

On Thursday, December 12, 2024, Magana-Ahumada was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. After completing his term of imprisonment, Magana-Ahumada will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release.

On June 5, 2024, co-conspirators Alfredo Rios, Jr., Rios Magana, and Velazquez Trujillo each received five months’ terms of probation. “The purchase of a firearm intended for someone else, is straw purchasing and it is illegal,” said Bernard G. Hansen, ATF Special Agent in Charge, Kansas City Field Division. “Doing so circumvents background checks and record keeping requirements that are intended to keep the public safe and impede access to firearms by prohibited and often violent criminals. Firearms trafficking is not a victimless crime; it is illegal and puts firearms in the hands of said prohibited and violent criminals. These investigations are a priority for ATF in our mission of reducing violent gun crime.”

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Attorney’s Office has released a report on court cases in Page County, for the week of December 2, 2024. The Honorable Richard H. Davidson, District Court Judge of the Fourth Judicial District presided.

Ben G. Franks, age 60, of Essex, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Operating While Under the Influence-1st Offense. The Defendant was sentenced to 30 days in jail, with all but 2 days suspended. The Defendant was placed on probation for 9 months and was ordered to obtain a Substance Abuse Evaluation and complete the Drinking Drivers School. The Defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $1,250, surcharges, court costs and court-appointed attorney fees.

Shaun Joseph Goines, age 45, of Clarinda, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Operating While Under the Influence-1st Offense. The Defendant was sentenced to 60 days in jail, with all but 7 days suspended. The Defendant was placed on probation for 9 months and was ordered to obtain a Substance Abuse Evaluation and complete the Drinking Drivers School. The Defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $1,250, surcharges, court costs and court-appointed attorney fees.

Steven Austin Ripley, age 31, of Red Oak, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Assault. The Defendant was sentenced to 7 days in jail, with credit for time served. The Defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $105, court costs and court-appointed attorney fees.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic is in the process of its new comprehensive plan, and officials say the first public input meeting on the plan will be held this Wednesday, Dec. 18th at the Venue, in downtown Atlantic, from 11-a.m. until 6-p.m. You are welcome to attend as you please during those hours, and provide your thoughts and opinions on the plan, as presented.  The session is a joint effort of the City of Atlantic and the Southwest Iowa Planning Council.

The comprehensive plan is the city’s guide for future development. The plan sets the basis for zoning and land use decisions to be made. Comprehensive plans should be updated every five years to ensure they remain accurate to the city’s goals and desires for the future.

There will be refreshments provided. All age groups are welcome to attend this meeting and there will even be some fun city planning related kids’ activities! Residents are encouraged to come out and make their voices heard to help continue the betterment of Atlantic in the future.