Des Moines, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division report a Clive man, 47-year-old Zachary James Flaherty, has pled guilty in federal court to wire fraud.  Flaherty used his position as an insurance agent and annuity salesperson to defraud elderly individuals out of their retirement savings and other monies.   The charges against Flaherty stem from an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau. He was prosecuted by the Southern District United States Attorney.

Flaherty is scheduled to be sentenced on April 12, 2024. He faces a potential sentence of up to twenty years in prison.  More information about the case can be found in the press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Iowa.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

(Harlan, Iowa) – Sixteen people were arrested in Shelby County between Nov. 16th and the 29th. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports among those arrested, were four people who were taken into custody on separate drug charges:

• On the 16th, 31-year-old Crystal Jean Oliver, of Harlan, was arrested following a motor vehicle accident in the 2100 block of Road M-36. Oliver was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance 2nd offense, Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, OWI 1st, and Failure to Maintain Control.
• The following day (Nov. 17), 22-year-old Dilynn John Ristau, of Preston, MN, was arrested following a traffic stop, in Harlan. Ristau was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 1st, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
• 46-year-old Laura Ann Traufler, of Harlan, was arrested November 21st in Shelby County, following an investigation. Traufler was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Theft 2nd, Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd or Subsequent Offense, and Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 3rd or Subsequent Offense.
• And, on the 22nd, 37-year-old Bryan Joseph Schuemann, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop in the 1100 block of Willow Street. Schuemann was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving Under Suspension, Keeping Premises of Vehicle for Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 3rd or Subsequent Offense, Possession of Contraband in Correctional Institution, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports also, the following arrests:

• On Nov. 17th, 58-year-old Rodney Craig Musich, of Kimballton, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant. Musich was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Trespass 1st offense; 30-year-old Philip Brian King, of Harlan, was charged with Burglary 3rd after an ongoing Burglary investigation.
• On the 18th, 24-year-old Guillermo Dominic Hernandez, of Denison, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for Failure to Appear.
• November 19th, Deputies in Shelby County arrested 23-year-old Nyagach Dech Chigach, and 34-year-old Simon Buombiey Jacob, both of Harlan, were each arrested for  Violation of No Contact Order.
• On the 20th, 49-year-old Darin Lee Turner, of Harlan, was arrested for OWI/1st offense.
• The next day, 31-year-old Drew Ashton Gagnon, of Red Oak, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for Violation of Probation.
• On Nov. 22nd, Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 58-year-old Douglas Duane Curtis, of Harlan. Curtis was charged with Driving Under Suspension and Interference with Official Acts.
• On the 25th, 53-year-old Craig John Stork, of Harlan, was arrested following an investigation of a possible motor vehicle accident in the area of 7th and Court St., in Harlan. Stork was  charged with OWI/1st offense.
• On Nov. 26th, 22-year-old Avery Jon Zenk, of Denison, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault. Zenk was transported to the Shelby County Jail.
• On the 27th, 40-year-old Brandon Glenn Billings, of Harlan, was arrested for Driving while License is Revoked, and Failure to Provide proof of Financial Liability.
• And, on the 29th, 69-year-old Gerard August Rueschenberg, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for Failure to Appear.

Note: “Criminal charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.”

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Two accidents occurred Saturday in Red Oak. Only one resulted in possible/unknown injuries. According to Red Oak Police, 59-year-old Sheryl Lynn Clark, of Red Oak, complained of pain following a collision between her 2006 Chevy Malibu and a 2011 Chevy pickup, driven by a juvenile male from Red Oak. She was not transported to the hospital. The report states the pickup, driven by 15-year-old Carson J. Davids, was traveling east on Walnut Street in Red Oak at around 9:18-a.m, Saturday, when the vehicle was struck broadside by the car, which was traveling north on 1st Street.  Clark was cited for Failure to Yield. Damage from the accident amounted to $18,000.  Red Oak Fire and EMS assisted at the scene.

The second accident in Red Oak, happened at around 1:38-p.m., Saturday, at the intersection of Corning and Broadway Streets. Police report a 2011 Toyota 4Runner (SUV) driven by 17-year-old Cyrus S. Mensen, of Red Oak, was rear-ended by a 2012 Ford Explorer (SUV), driven by 40-year-old Christopher R. Fowler, of Red Oak. The collision occurred as both vehicles were northbound from the intersection stoplight. Fowler was cited for Following too closely, and Failure to provide proof of insurance/accident related. Damage from the accident amounted to $4,500.

Authorities in Union County say no injuries were reported following two separate accidents, Friday. The first happened at around 11:20-a.m. on Highway 25 North (Sumner Street), in Creston. Creston Police said a 2013 Chevy Equinox driven by 18-year-old Hazin Floyd Clayton, of Lorimor, was traveling northbound in the left lane, when the vehicle in front of him attempted to turn left. Clayton attempted to merge into the right lane, and in doing so struck a 2012 Jeep Liberty driven by 17-year-old Evy Isabelle Marlin, of Corning, as her SUV was traveling north in the right lane. Damage from the collision amounted to $2,000. No citations were issued, but Police noted Clayton made an improper or erratic lane change.

The second accident happened at around 4:50-p.m., Friday, in the Creston City limits. The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a 2018 Honda Pilot (SUV) driven by 37-year-old Jennie P. England, of Creston, and a 2023 Toyota Sequoia SUV driven by 41-year-old Jacqueline H. Welchans, of Creston, were traveling north on Highway 25 near the intersection with Montgomery Street, and had just left the stoplight at the intersection with Adams Street, when England attempted to change lanes in order to turn right at the next intersection. She didn’t see the Toyota next to her. The accident was witnessed by a Conservation Officer, who remained on the scene for officers to arrive.

Damage from the collision amounted to $2,000. Both vehicles were driven from the scene. There were no citations issued.