From the category archives:

Crime & Courts

The Floyd County Attorney has had his license suspended for at least six months after a 5-2 decision today by the Iowa Supreme Court. The Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board alleged that Jesse Marzen committed numerous violations of Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct by engaging in a sexual relationship with a client, disclosing client confidences to the public and making a misrepresentation to a judge.

The Court’s grievance commission found there was insufficient evidence of an ethical violation on the charges of a sexual relationship with a client and misrepresentation to a judge, but found Marzen violated disciplinary rules by disclosing client confidences. The Supreme Court says on its review, they find that Marzen violated the rules of professional conduct and are imposing an indefinite suspension for not less than six months.

The opinion also says the most serious circumstance is that Marzen became sexually involved with his client at a time when she was most vulnerable and the trust of a lawyer was most needed and expected.

By Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City

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Cedar Rapids drug dog finds big stash of pot

by Pat Curtis 03/19/10 7:49 AM

A police dog is getting credit for a big drug bust in Cedar Rapids. Police K-9 Marco and his handler, officer Al Fear, were conducting a routine check at various businesses this week when Marco “hit” on a garage.
Officers obtained a search warrant and found over 500 pounds of marijuana in the garage.
Police spokesperson Sergeant [...]

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Gun bill resurfaces at statehouse

by O. Kay Henderson 03/18/10 12:32 PM

A bill that establishes a statewide policy on issuing permits to carry guns is among the handful of policy bills lawmakers may consider as the 2010 legislative session winds down in Des Moines. The National Rifle Association has pushed for the legislation, which failed to meet a previous deadline for action and has resurfaced for [...]

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Council Bluffs man who sparked Amber Alert now in jail

by Radio Iowa Contributor 03/18/10 10:38 AM

A Council Bluffs man is now jailed after he sparked a statewide Amber Alert last month when he was accused of kidnapping his underage girlfriend. Nineteen-year-old Steven Hecker faces charges in connection with his relationship with 14-year-old Jenakaye Lee, of Council Bluffs.
Pottawatamie County Attorney Matt Wilbur says the two disappeared after Hecker learned he would [...]

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Audit unable to sort out missing funds in Oran

by O. Kay Henderson 03/18/10 10:07 AM

A state audit has been unable to determine the extent of the theft committed by a woman who admits she stole money from a small northeast Iowa township. Anne McClain was the clerk of Oran Township in Fayette County until she resigned in September of last year after admitting she’d embezzled money from the township.
McClain [...]

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Burlington man shot after spraying police with anhydrous

by Pat Curtis 03/18/10 8:21 AM

A Burlington man was shot by officers who were investigating a suspected methamphetamine operation in southeast Iowa Wednesday. Iowa Department of Public Safety spokesperson Jessica Lown says the incident occurred around 4 a.m. in a rural area of Lee County.
“When (the officers) got to the residence, the suspect they were looking for approached them and [...]

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Lawmakers ponder new limit on teen cell phone use

by O. Kay Henderson 03/17/10 4:22 PM

A panel of Iowa legislators working to find a compromise on a bill that would ban texting while driving is veering toward drafting a wide-reaching ban that would forbid most teen drivers from talking on a cell phone, too. 
A so-called “conference committee”of House and Senate members has tentatively agreed to ban adult drivers from sending [...]

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