Latest news with #IowaDivisionofCriminalInvestigation
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Siouxland lawmaker believes Iowa DCI geofenced state Capitol to prep for sports betting investigation
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — A highly publicized college sports gambling investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is back in the spotlight. A Siouxland lawmaker said the agency tested geofencing software on the State Capitol Building without alerting anyone of the test. Sixth District Representative Megan Jones, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, told KCAU that she believes the DCI spied on people in the Capitol. Jones addressed the issue Wednesday during budget discussions including the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the DCI. The investigation into sports betting on smartphones ended with more than 30 in-state university athletes, as well as athletic department staffers, facing illegal gambling charges. Jones expressed concerns dating back to a senate subcommittee meeting where a lobbiest for the Department of Public Safety was asked if the Capitol had been geo-fenced. Story continues below Top Story: Unofficial results: Voters say 'no' to South Sioux City school bond Lights & Sirens: Sioux City firefighter taken to hospital following Mayday call during Morningside fire Sports: #7 South Sioux City boys soccer upsets #2 Millard North 2-1 in NSAA Class A State Quarterfinals 'She was promptly informed that she would not answer that question, and so that line of questioning was cut off. If you're not doing anything, if you hadn't, you would quickly deny it, right? Peope have known about this for some time, but I think some members were kind of caught off guard today,' said Jones. The DCI has previously been criticized for operating warrantless searches using geofencing to help determine if student-athletes were taking part in illegal mobile sports betting. More than a dozen of those student athletes charged in the case have filed civil lawsuits. Representative Jones claimed there are many questions yet to be answered. 'If this is a cultural problem within the division and the Department of Safety, then we need to tackle that. So, I'm going to be asking some questions, and I want answers. People should not feel like they are being spied on, or their phones are being compromised, that they are being geofenced merely because they are in this building. This place is sacred,' stated jones. Jones' comments came as the Iowa Legislature is expected to wrap up the 2025 session this week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Des Moines officer was ‘legally justified' in March shooting of assault suspect, county attorney says
DES MOINES, Iowa — The March non-fatal shooting of a Des Moines man by a police officer has been determined to be legally justified by the Polk County Attorney's Office, following a review of the evidence by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Jose Daniel Rodriguez-Sanchez, 19, was shot by Senior Police Officer Chad Ruroden of the Des Moines Police Department on March 20th, as police investigated the alleged assault of a woman in the Watrous South neighborhood. Des Moines Police said Rodriguez-Sanchez fled the original scene of the assault, and SPO Ruroden located him at the intersection of SW 11th Street and Wade Street. With his gun drawn, SPO Ruroden ordered Rodriguez-Sanchez to surrender, but instead, he charged the officer and began assaulting him. Iowa House sends PBM reform bill to governor's desk During the assault, SPO Ruroden fired his gun, striking Rodriguez-Sanchez in the upper torso. SPO Ruroden retreated, but Rodriguez-Sanchez continued to attack until other officers arrived on the scene. They used pepper spray and a taser to take Rodriguez-Sanchez into custody. Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham said, 'Given all the circumstances, it was reasonable for Officer Ruroden to conclude that he was in imminent danger of great bodily injury or death at the time the force was used. Officer Ruroden reasonably believed his actions were necessary to prevent great bodily injury or death.' Rodriguez-Sanchez remains in the Polk County Jail on charges of assault on a person in a certain occupation-intent of injury, disarming a peace officer, interference with official acts-bodily injury, and domestic abuse assault. The DMPD plans to release body-worn and dash-cam recordings from the incident at a later date since the criminal case against Rodriguez-Sanchez remains ongoing. The Iowa Attorney General's Office was not required to investigate SPO Ruroden's use of force as it did not result in death. Des Moines officer was 'legally justified' in March shooting of assault suspect, county attorney says Scholastic Spotlight: Waukee's baby chicks Golf tournament raises $30,000 for families of Iowa veterans and first responders in first swing DSM Public Works gears up for annual recycling program; what to know to avoid 'oops' tag Altoona man sentenced to prison for committing sex acts on children Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man Goes Missing While Driving to Visit His Dying Grandma. Weeks Later, He's Found Dead
A 31-year-old man who went missing while driving from Texas to see his dying grandmother has been found dead weeks later in Iowa, authorities said. Marcus Anthony Taylor was traveling from Fort Worth and heading to Wisconsin to pay a visit, according to a post from Missing Persons In the USA, shared by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Taylor was driving a blue Hyundai Santa Fe with a South Dakota license plate, the bulletin read. The license plate was last read on April 8 in northern Missouri on Interstate 35. Then on Friday, April 25, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office stated that a single-vehicle accident occurred on April 8 at about 10:50 p.m. local time. Related: Remains Found by Stream Identified as Man Who Vanished in 2018 After Taking Walk in the Woods 'An extensive search was done that night, including a drone with thermal imaging as well as a K9 officer and other fire and rescue crew members and no driver or any individual was able to be located in or around the vehicle,' the sheriff's office said at the time. 'Area hospitals and businesses were also checked. At the time of this accident, he was not an entered missing person.' Several hours later that same day, the department offered another update, stating that a body matching the description of Taylor was found about 1 mile from the crash site and search area. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'The male was located within a closed structure that would have made it impossible to locate without the help of 'STAR 1 Search and Rescue' out of Story County and their canine and equine teams,' the sheriff's office said. "It appears as if the male made his way to this structure after the car accident to try and find shelter.' Related: Human Remains Identified as Woman Missing Since August 'There is no foul play suspected,' the agency added. Authorities further said that the victim's family was notified, and the body was taken to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation laboratory to be autopsied. The grandmother has since passed away, a loved one wrote on Facebook. "We are saddened by this loss, but comforted that he joins his mom Maria and recently passed Granny in heaven!" the person wrote. PEOPLE contacted the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation for additional information on Tuesday, April 29. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Yahoo
Body of missing man found in acreage near I-35 in Hamilton County
HAMILTON COUNTY, Iowa — The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office announced Friday afternoon that the body of a missing man was found in an acreage near Interstate 35. On Friday morning the sheriff's office announced that a multi-agency search was taking place along I-35 near Ellsworth to find a man missing since early April. That man was 31-year-old Marcus Anthony Taylor, who was believed to have been on his way to Wisconsin from Fort Worth, Texas to visit his dying grandmother. Des Moines police chase results in arrest of December armed robbery suspect According to the sheriff's office, Taylor's license plates for his blue Hyundai Santa Fe were last recorded on Tuesday, April 8 while traveling on I-35 in Missouri. At about 10:50 p.m. that night Taylor's vehicle was involved in a single-vehicle crash on I-35 in Hamilton County. When first responders arrived at the crash scene, they only found Taylor's vehicle. The sheriff's office said that despite an extensive search involving a thermal imaging drone, K9, and other resources, Taylor was nowhere to be found. At around 2:30 p.m. Friday the sheriff's office announced that they located the body of who they believe to be Taylor inside a closed structure on an acreage roughly one mile away from the crash site. According to the sheriff's office, it's believed that Taylor made his way to the structure in search of shelter after the crash and that no foul play is suspected. The sheriff's office said Taylor's body has been taken to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation laboratory for an autopsy. The agencies that assisted the sheriff's office include the Star 1 Search and Rescue of Story County, the Iowa State Patrol, Ellsworth Fire and Rescue, Hamilton County Emergency Management, Iowa Department of Transportation, Dallas-Fort Worth Police Department, and the Minnesota Bureau of Apprehension. Iowa News: Minden marks one year since EF-3 tornado Body of missing man found in acreage near I-35 in Hamilton County Records break in Drake Relays Friday afternoon session Apple juice distributed in 28 states recalled over potential contamination with toxic compound: FDA Iowa governor sues the Des Moines Register to stop request of emails she claims are protected Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Indianola daycare provider charged with murder in 4-month-old's death
DES MOINES, Iowa — An Indianola daycare provider has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a four-month-old boy she was caring for in 2024. The Indianola Police Department issued a news release Wednesday, announcing the arrest of Melissa Hancock, 51. The department said a joint investigation with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Warren County Attorney's Office resulted in the charges. Early morning storage facility fire in north Des Moines Hancock was caring for the infant at her in-home daycare at 307 E. Clinton Avenue in Indianola on October 8, 2024 when emergency responders were dispatched to the location after receiving a 911 call. First responders found the four-month-old boy unresponsive. He was transported by air ambulance to a hospital in Des Moines and died on October 12, 2024. A criminal complaint filed in the case said the child was 'determined to have suffered a traumatic skull fracture, bilateral retinal hemorrhaging, and spinal trauma consistent with inflicted blunt force trauma.' New and healing injuries to the child's head, neck, and spine were also identified by medical professionals. The complaint said that indicated a pattern of prior abuse. According to the complaint, text messages from Hancock 'expressed irritation with the victim, and her conduct reflects a callous disregard for his wellbeing.' Hancock turned herself in to authorities Wednesday morning. She is being held in the Warren County Jail. Court records show a cash-only bond of $500,000 has been set. Her arraignment is scheduled for May 12th. Man hospitalized after pursuit, crash involving Iowa State Patrol trooper Indianola daycare provider charged with murder in 4-month-old's death New high school program helps Indianola students with disabilities join the workforce Transparency concerns on the mind at Madison County Board of Supervisors meeting 'Before They Were Soldiers' profiles Iowans who did not return from Vietnam Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
