A northwest Iowa restaurant owner gained national attention last year after the Internal Revenue Service seized more than 30-thousand dollars from her account, forcing the eatery to close — but the I-R-S later dropped its case. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says there are many similar situations popping up lately that involve the U-S Justice Department or the I-R-S wielding far too much power. “There can be good reason to seize property in a criminal investigation, but the law ought to be about protecting innocent people,” Grassley says. “Too often, we’ve seen just the opposite with civil asset forfeiture laws. It’s become a big business for the federal government.”

The Justice Department is taking steps to put more restrictions on how assets can be seized, but Grassley, a Republican, says there are still too many loopholes and opportunities for abuse.  “I’m working on bipartisan legislation that will protect innocent people from being caught up in any sort of a dragnet,” Grassley says. “The bill I’m working on would enhance procedural protections for individuals if property is seized.”

According to Grassley, the bill would also reduce incentives for law enforcement to seize civil assets in these cases. Carol Hinders had run Mrs. Lady’s Mexican Food in Spirit Lake for 38 years, accepting only cash. Her frequent cash deposits caught the eye of the I-R-S and the whole ordeal began. While she did eventually get back the 33-thousand dollars the I-R-S had seized, she sold the restaurant and retired.

(Radio Iowa)

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman from Red Oak was arrested twice in two days. 23-year old Desiree Pauline Willis, was arrested Sunday evening along Highway 59, on a warrant charging her with Forgery, the bond for which is $5,000. The next day, Willis was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office and held without bond, for being a Fugitive from Justice.

A woman from Adair County escaped injury during a single-vehicle rollover accident Monday afternoon. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says 22-year old Laura Jo Marnin, of Greenfield, was traveling south on 540th Street at around 1:15-p.m., when she lost control of the 2005 Ford Taurus she was driving. The car entered the west ditch about two-miles south of Griswold, and rolled onto its top. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $4,500. No citations were issued.

Information was released today (Tuesday), concerning a drug bust that took place last week, in Shelby County. Sheriff’s officials say 35-year old Willam Soll, of Dow City, was arrested on felony charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, along with an Aggravated Misdemeanor charge of Prohibited Acts.  Soll posted a $100,000 bond on April 1st, and was released from custody.

Authorities say Soll was arrested March 30th in Portsmouth, after a Shelby County Deputy on routine security patrol, observed a suspicious vehicle. Upon further investigation, the deputy suspected Soll – the driver of the vehicle – was under the influence. With the assistance of a second Deputy and the Harlan K9 Unit, a search of the vehicle was conducted, with the K9 alerting to the presence of narcotics.

When deputies found a quantity of meth in the vehicle, near the driver’s position, Soll was taken into custody.