Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she is “very disappointed” and angered by the conduct of thousands of male soldiers who have posted and viewed naked photos of FEMALE soldiers on a private Facebook page. “There is absolutely no excuse for this,” Ernst says, “especially for those who wear our nation’s uniform.”

The “Marine United” Facebook page was created as a private meeting place for active duty and retired Marines, but a veteran who runs the “War Horse” NEWS site recently revealed photos of female Marines were being posted on the Marines United page. Ernst, a retired Iowa National Guard commander who is a combat veteran, spoke Tuesday during a U.S. Senate hearing with two Marine Corps generals. “Those who participated in these disgusting and horrible actions have not only failed our Marine Corps, they’ve failed the men and women who wish to join your ranks,” Ernst said, “and they have failed our country.”

Ernst cites additional reporting which indicates similar activity in other branches of the military. “This is a cultural problem, not just in our military, but society at large and hearing that many individuals were not surprised about these reports disappoints me. Hearing that there may not be a way to hold many of the people that were involved in this accountable, that angers me,” Ernst said. “Illegal or not, members of our community need to know this they type of activity creates a culture that leads to sexual assault.”

Marine Corps leaders admit investigators are having trouble identifying “Marines United” Facebook users for possible prosecution or discipline within the military, plus spin-off websites are popping up with links to the naked images of female soldiers.

(Radio Iowa)

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) – A Waukee man who says he’s been sober for 10 years has thanked the last police officer who pulled him over for driving drunk. The Des Moines Register reports Callin Prieskorn went to the Johnston Police Department on Tuesday and hugged Sgt. Kenny Agan, whom he’d last seen alongside a road.

Prieskorn says the arrest led to jail time and the loss of a job before he could turn a corner in his life and begin his recovery. Over the past 10 years he’s married, welcomed two sons into his family and gotten new jobs. Agan told Prieskorn that “it’s impressive to see the changes you’ve made.” Johnston Police Chief Dennis McDaniel says police “never get this kind of feedback. It’s a big day for us.”

A traffic stop late Tuesday night in Adams County resulted in the arrest of a Missouri man on a drug charge. 26-year old Andrew Kerwin, of Sheridan, MO., was arrested just before midnight, Tuesday, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $300.

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports a man from Nebraska was arrested Monday on a Fremont County felony warrant for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, causing a minor to engage in sex act. Fremont County authorities received confirmation from Nebraska, that 21-year old Brock Jay Wichman, of Nebraska City, NE., had been arrested in Fremont, Nebraska on the Fremont County, Iowa warrant.

The charge stems from an investigation initiated by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office in August and September of 2016. Deputies were assisted by the Nebraska City Police Department, Fremont, Nebraska Police Department, and the United States Marshall Service. Wichman is being held at the Fremont County Jail without bond, pending an initial appearance with a Magistrate.

Brock Wichman (photo submitted)