Law And Order

Castillo-Alvarez back in Clay County Jail (02/26/10)
"He's back." Those words, spoken by Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow, referenced the return of Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez to the Clay County Jail. Clay County Sheriff' deputies transported Castillo-Alvarez from Newton's state prison back to the Clay County holding facility on a felony charge for furnishing an intoxicating beverage to inmates at a detention facility during his previous year-and-a-half stay. ...

Castillo-Alvarez case moves to Minnesota (02/25/10)
A 40-year-old former Estherville restaurant owner will face Minnesota charges after his Clay County murder and kidnapping convictions were thrown out on appeal in the fall of 2009. On Friday, Jackson County Sheriff Roger Hawkinson said he and the Jackson County Attorney's Office would file Minnesota charges of second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault and second-degree assault against Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez...

Implications of local charges far reaching (02/20/10)

High Court: Castillo-Alvarez case won't be reviewed (01/22/10)
Clay County Attorney Michael Houchins on Friday confirmed a decision from the Iowa Supreme Court to deny further review of the 1997 gang-related murder of Estherville teenager Gregory Sky Erickson. Judge Don Courtney found former Estherville restaurant owner Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez responsible for orchestrating Erickson's death, based on a January 2008 ruling at the Palo Alto County Courthouse in Emmetsburg...

Heilstedt pleads guilty to 2008 arson charge (01/21/10)
On Tuesday, during a scheduled hearing, Brenda Lee Heilstedt of Spencer, withdrew her not guilty plea with regards to arson charges stemming from a fire that broke out at a home she owned on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008; and pled guilty to arson in the second degree, a Class C felony...

Milford man detained on drug, murder charges (01/12/10)
Samuel Blue Lint was still being held in Spirit Lake's Dickinson County Jail on $10,000 bond Tuesday as attorneys in northwest Iowa decide if, and when, the 18-year-old Milford man will be transported to Sioux Falls, S.D., to face charges of armed robbery and murder...

Justice: At what cost? (12/10/09)
Need a sign of the times? Look for one taped on the locked clerk of court's door, below a holiday wreath, at the Clay County Courthouse. "Iowa Court Offices Closed," it said, on the first of 10 days targeted by the judicial branch for a cost-saving shutdown...

Juvenile law a passion for county's new attorney (11/27/09)
Clay County's newest assistant county attorney is no stranger to the city of Spencer, but she's seeing a different part of the law these days. Kristi Busse is a month into her newest role as an assistant Clay County Attorney and associate at the Zenor and Houchins law firm in north Spencer...

Fourteen sentenced in lakes region meth ring (11/06/09)
"Drug dealers out there, we're coming to a town near you." This message provided courtesy of Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow in the aftermath of sentencing that will result in over 2,000 months of combined jail time for 14 individuals associated with a drug trafficking ring in northwest Iowa...

Plea agreement reached in Spencer arson case (11/06/09)
Judge Patrick Carr has scheduled a Jan. 19 hearing to consider a guilty plea from a Spencer woman accused of arson 11 months ago. Brenda Lee Heilstedt is expected to plead guilty to a charge of second-degree arson, a Class C felony, as part of the agreement struck by attorneys...

Sex abuse suspect recaptured after 11 years (11/05/09)
Sometimes the wheels of justice are slow, but they never stop turning. Just ask Alejandro Montano, a current resident of the Buena Vista County Jail. After more than 11 years on the run from charges including sexual abuse, false imprisonment and drugs in Storm Lake, a false identity, and an alleged lifetime web of lies, Mantano has been found in Chicago and returned to face the charges for a February 1998 incident...

Law change reflected in new registry list (10/10/09)
For the first time in its monthly update, the Clay County Sheriff's summary of residents with sex offense-related convictions includes A tier classification to reflect changes in Iowa Sex Offender Registry laws. Technology specialists at the Iowa Department of Public Safety reviewed the profiles of about 5,000 Iowans on the state's sex offender registry as part of a new law that attempts to more closely monitor the most dangerous offenders...

Spencer attorney sworn in as judge (10/03/09)
It's Judge Borth now. Assistant Clay County Attorney Charles K. Borth officially filled the vacancy created by retiring Judge Donavon Schaefer during a ceremony Friday afternoon at the Clay County Courthouse. Fellow Spencer Judge Patrick Carr administered the oath at the investiture. Borth's wife, Liz assisted her husband with the donning of the robe...

Castillo-Alvarez conviction overturned (09/02/09)

Borth named District Associate Judge (09/01/09)
The five district judges of the 3A judicial sub-district have selected Assistant Clay County Attorney Charles K. Borth to fill the vacancy created by retiring Judge Donavon Schaefer. Borth and fellow finalists Dave Patton, an attorney in the Storm Lake area, and Ida County Attorney Kristal Phillips were interviewed Thursday. Borth was told Friday night that he was the successful candidate...

Jury sides with Royal in wedding chapel dispute (08/01/09)
The dispute between Royal Wedding Chapel, Inc. owner Gerald "Lee" Youde and the city of Royal began with a business permit application. It ended with a 8.5-pound court file and a July 22 jury verdict at the Clay County Courthouse. Yes, Youde can still conduct wedding ceremonies out of the decommissioned Lutheran church he bought back in 2003. ...

Registry violation leads to arrest (07/30/09)
A former Spencer man on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry was taken into custody at 9 a.m. Wednesday after deputies say he moved without notifying authorities. Michael James Sellers is on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry after a 2002 Plymouth County conviction of third-degree sexual abuse involving a female age 14-17...

Sex offender classification under way (07/16/09)
Technology specialists are reviewing the profiles of about 5,000 Iowans on the state's sex offender registry as part of a new law that attempts to more closely monitor the most dangerous offenders. James Saunders, assistant director for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said work is well under way and could be completed in about a month. Beginning July 1, people with a sexual offense in their history were to be classified into three tiers...

Sirens 6-25-09 (06/25/09)
Sara Wirkus, 23, Spencer, was charged with theft fifth degree at 4:12 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, at Wal-Mart. She was released on a police citation. Shayne Pomeroy, 23, Ruthven, was charged on a Clay County warrant for failure to serve sentence at 8:57 p.m. Saturday, June 13, in the 300 block of Grand Avenue. He was transported to the Spencer Police Department...

Library considers sex offender law impact (06/16/09)
City Attorney Don Hemphill assured Spencer Public Library board members recently that only four sentences in a new state law apply to city and county libraries. He also deemed the potential impact of the 32-page act signed by the Gov. Chet Culver -- which lists prohibitions that apply only to individuals who've been convicted of a sex offense against a minor -- on the library as being "very minimal."...

Sirens 6-5-09 (06/05/09)
James Patrick Griffin, 45, St. Laurens, was charged with no insurance and improper registration on Thursday, May 28, in the 3900 block of N18 during a routine traffic stop by Clay County deputies. He was transported to the Clay County Jail and held to appear before a magistrate...

Appeals Court hears Castillo-Alvarez case (05/30/09)
The Iowa Court of Appeals will determine if a former Estherville man's right to a speedy trial was violated through the timing of court filings near the end of a decade-long extradition process. The appeals court on Friday heard oral arguments involving Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez as part of the 86th Annual Lawyer's Chautauqua in Okoboji...

Sirens 5-30-09 (05/30/09)
--- Manuel Martinez, 27, Spencer, was arrested on a Clay County warrant on a charge of violation of probation at 2:26 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, in the 20 block of West First Street. He was transported to the Spencer Police Department and turned over to the Clay County Jail...

Cybercrime unit searches Spencer, Storm Lake homes (05/28/09)
State and federal agents went to three areas homes - two in Spencer and one in Storm Lake - Tuesday after suspicious Internet traffic was detected by authorities. Investigators used Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to trace suspicion of child exploitation to specific computers. Agents then executed the first of three search warrants at about 8 a.m. Tuesday at 1342 S. Grand Plaza Dr., in Spencer. A second search, at 906 Second Ave. SE, was completed just before noon...

Arson cases: One delayed, one resolved (05/07/09)
A Pocahontas man who started a fire in the mental heath wing of Spencer Hospital avoided prison time as part of a plea agreement finalized Tuesday at the Clay County Courthouse in Spencer. Jared Lee Reinholdt entered a plea of guilty to third-degree arson and Judge Nancy Whittenburg suspended a two-year sentence as part of an agreement reached with prosecutors...

Ruling closes 2008 murder case (05/06/09)
A Dickinson County judge has dismissed charges against the third defendant in the April 2008 murder case which resulted in the death of Matthew Begtrup. John Allen Swan, 31, of Crossett, Ark., Scott Thomas Adair, 30, of Crossett, Ark. and Michael James Friedrichs, 30, of Forest City were accused of first-degree murder in a Milford incident in April 2008...

Spencer trio faces drug charges (04/14/09)
A traffic stop in Spencer by a Clay County deputy landed three Spencer men in the Clay County Jail on drug charges. At approximately 2:54 p.m. Wednesday, a Clay County deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 10 block of W. Park St. in Spencer. ...

County to move on well head protection (04/09/09)
A meeting with Spencer Municipal Utilities reps, Leon Rodas, Steve Pick and Don Baxter during Monday's Clay County Board of Supervisors meeting prompted the county's governing officials to address well head protection for common water sources currently outside the city's protection guidelines...

Arson suspect uses water to cause new damage (04/07/09)
The Pocahontas man accused of intentionally starting a fire at Spencer Hospital faces new charges after deputies say he caused damage at the Clay County Jail. Jared Lee Reinholdt, 31, was placed in solitary confinement following an incident at about 6:20 a.m. Monday. Jailers believe he plugged the shower and stools and turned on faucets to intentionally cause flooding between jail checks...

Offender charged after listing park as address (04/04/09)
A Spencer man faces a Class D felony charge for violating the guidelines of the Iowa Sex Offender Registry after he failed to report a valid address to Clay County deputies. According to Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow, 29-year-old Allen Mills listed "DeWolf Park" in Spencer as his intended address when he discharged from the state prison system on March 21...

Patient charged with setting hospital fire (03/31/09)
The Pocahontas man accused of starting a fire at Spencer Hospital March 19 will face a charge of first-degree arson. Jared Lee Reinholdt has been given an April 3 preliminary hearing date in Clay County District Court, but a trial information document typically cancels the need for an appearance...

Finding Deana, the four of diamonds (03/27/09)
Clohe Husby can thank a deck of cards, but forgive her if she isn't completely at peace with the hand life dealt her. The 55-year-old Spencer businesswoman will spend part of her spring picking out a casket and planning a memorial service for her sister, Deana Patnode of Inver Grove Heights, Minn...

Judge negates jury verdict (03/12/09)
A Dickinson County judge has acquitted Kenneth George Neilson, Jr., negating a jury verdict pronounced late last year. In December 2008, a Lakes area jury convicted Neilson, 56, of Spirit Lake of involuntary manslaughter by reckless act. Neilson was charged in connection with a shooting on July 29, 2007 that took the life of Marlan Lutterman, 53, of Worthington, Minn. Neilson told officials on that day that he was cleaning his gun in his apartment when he fumbled and the weapon fired...

Spencer man receives 30-year sentence (03/05/09)

County, former employee settle federal lawsuit (03/05/09)
A former Clay County employee will receive a $105,000 settlement from the county's insurance provider to settle a dispute over her 2007 dismissal. Sally L. Becker, a former employee in the Clay County Treasurer's and Recorder's offices, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the county on Dec. 27, 2007, at the U.S. District Courthouse in Sioux City...

Prather case pt. 1 - Defendant's appearance delayed (03/04/09)
The court appearance for the Spencer man suspected in a fatal drunk driving case has been postponed until 10 a.m. Thursday after a self-inflicted medical emergency delayed the court process Tuesday morning. Attorneys handling the James Prather vehicular homicide case scrambled to coordinate a change of circumstances in the 15 minutes before the 57-year-old was scheduled to enter a guilty plea. ...

Prather case pt. 2 - Sharing their pain (03/04/09)
Tabitha Wilson sent out a heartfelt request via Facebook to all who might read it: "Help Brian." Tuesday morning, Wilson saw her plea answered as about 30 family and friends of the late, Brian Beck packed one side of the Clay County Courthouse, awaiting the opportunity to share with Judge Nancy Whittenburg and the rest of the courtroom, the impact that the loss of Beck had on those in the community who knew him...

UPDATE -- Prather expected to recover, has new court date (03/03/09)

Pipe bomb found during warrant check (02/28/09)
Time and the judicial process will have to determine the accuracy of a novelty T-shirt worn by Alexander Larson as he was photographed during processing at the Clay County Jail. For now, the 19-year-old Spencer man -- who in his mug shot sports a T-shirt that features a definition of the word "loser" -- faces some fairly serious charges...

Swan sentenced to three years probation (02/26/09)
After several continuances, the sentencing hearing for John Swan, 31, of Crossett, Ark. was held this Monday morning, Feb. 23 at the Dickinson County Courthouse. Swan is sentenced to three years probation for his role in a bar fight last April. Initially, Swan was one of three men accused of murder in the April 4, 2008 altercation outside of Zippers in Milford that took the life of Matthew Thomas Begtrup, 25, of Sioux Falls...

Pair of Spencer men arrested on drug charges (02/26/09)
Shortly before 1 p.m., Wednesday, a vehicle stop landed Milton Carlton, 35 and John Cole, 36 in the Clay County Jail. At 12:46 p.m., a Clay County deputy made a traffic stop in the 600 block of Grand Ave in Spencer , on a 1995 Ford Mustang, driven by Carlton of Spencer. During a search of Carlton's vehicle, deputies located a quantity of Adderral pills and determined that they were being possessed in violation of the law. Deputies also found items of drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle...

Suspect's air freshener plan goes up in smoke (02/25/09)
A traffic stop by a Clay County deputy lands a Worthington, Minn., man in the Clay County Jail on traffic and drug charges. At approximately 11:57 p.m. Sunday, a Clay County deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 3000th block of Highway 18 for a traffic violation. Upon approaching the vehicle, the deputy noticed a lot of movement by the occupants and that it looked like they were spraying something in the air...

EVENING SNOWFALL CAUSES SLICK CONDITIONS (02/21/09)
Members of the Spencer Fire Department and local law enforcement officers complete a crash site investigation at about 5:15 p.m. Friday. The female driver was northbound when her Ford Explorer fishtailed and left the roadway near the Woodcliff Bridge on county road B24. The vehicle hit a log, flipped and landed on a fence. The driver was able to exit the vehicle on her own and was transported to Spencer Hospital for medical evaluation...

Eggs and Issues No. 2: Labor issues and taxes (02/17/09)
Labor issues and taxes, which are taking center stage this week as the Iowa Legislature enters its sixth week, also were at the center of several heated comments made during Saturday morning's Eggs and Issues session as the political ideologies of Sen. Jack Kibbie (D-Emmetsburg) and Rep. Marcie Frevert (D-Emmetsburg) differed with those of Sen. David Johnson (R-Ocheyedan) and Rep. Mike May (R-Spirit Lake)...

Prior, Iowa Lakes Community College part ways (02/14/09)
The Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees accepted the resignation letter and terms of retirement for college president Harold Prior during a special meeting Friday afternoon in Estherville. Prior's letter of resignation contained two sentences: "Please accept my retirement as President of Iowa Lakes Community College to be effective June 30, 2009. My retirement is subject to the attached retirement agreement."...

Citizens Police Academy hosting seventh session (01/21/09)
The Spencer Police Department will be hosting its 7th Citizen Police Academy beginning March 17, and running through May 19. Classes will be held each Tuesday evening starting at 6"30 p.m. and concluding at 8 p.m. Topics that will be covered include, but not limited to: communication center operations, 911, Constitutional Law, search and seizure, laws of arrest, use of force, traffic enforcement, radar, lidar, OWI enforcement, DRE, crime scene processing, criminal investigations, drug investigations, search warrants, juvenile probation, adult corrections, jail field trips and ride alongs.. ...

Area men sentenced for meth deals (01/10/09)
Four northwest Iowa men will spend a combined 53 years and 8 months in prison for their roles in a methamphetamine pipeline. U.S. District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett gave 40-year-old Michael Roth of Spencer the most severe sentence, according to a statement Friday from U.S. ...

City ordinance could help snow removal (01/03/09)
Members of the Spencer City Council will field a request to fast-track a less-restrictive ordinance for all-terrain vehicle use in the city. Spencer Police Chief Mark Lawson and the city's public safety committee will ask the council to waive procedures and move to the final reading of the newly- introduced ordinance during Monday night's meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at Spencer City Hall...

No jail time for bank executive (12/16/08)
A rural Everly bank executive received a suspended sentence for bank activities deemed illegal by a Clay County jury. Judge Don Courtney on Monday suspended the jail time on three Class D felony convictions involving 40-year-old Shane Habben. The charges were filed after the county attorney's office looked into charges of misconduct, which took place between July 13, 2004, and November 2006 at State Bank in Spencer...

Rural Everly man's sentencing delayed (12/09/08)
Sentencing will take now take place place at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at the Emmet County Courthouse in Estherville for a rural Everly man suspected of mishandling transactions during his role as a bank administrator. A Clay County jury found 40-year-old Shane Habben guilty of one count of second-degree theft and two counts of forgery on Oct. 2. Jurors returned their verdict about four hours after receiving the case...

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