Latest news with #PolkCountyAttorney'sOffice
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Des Moines man guilty of fatally shooting man at hotel sentenced to prison
DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines man who was found guilty of shooting and killing a man at a hotel last year was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday. In April 2024, officers with the Des Moines Police Department responded to a shooting at a hotel on the southwest side of the city. When first responders arrived, they found 30-year-old Sayvon Propps and 32-year-old Joshua Carmody in a hotel room suffering from gunshot wounds. Carmody was transported to a hospital in critical condition. Propps died from his injuries at the scene. Change of venue granted for embattled Madison County Treasurer, upcoming trial moved to Boone County As the investigation into the shooting unfolded, officers learned that Carmody had forced his way into the hotel room that Propps and a female were staying in. According to the DMPD, Propps fired a gun at Carmody in self-defense and Carmody returned fire. Carmody was later charged with first-degree murder for Propps' death. According to the Polk County Attorney's Office, during the first-degree murder trial the female who was at the hotel with Propps testified, saying that she and Carmody had been in an on-and-off relationship for about a year. She also stated that Carmody was upset when he discovered that she and Propps were at the hotel together. In April, a Polk County jury found Carmody guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. At a sentencing hearing held on Tuesday a Polk County Judge ordered Carmody to serve concurrent sentences of life in prison for the first-degree murder charge, 25 years for burglary charge, and five years for the possession of a firearm charge. Metro News: Des Moines man guilty of fatally shooting man at hotel sentenced to prison Change of venue granted for embattled Madison County Treasurer, upcoming trial moved to Boone County Clive police hand out awareness stickers to help communication in emergencies Adventureland's former owner settles lawsuit over 11-year-old's drowning 147th Annual All-Alumni Scarlet Celebration takes place this weekend Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Final defendant sentenced in 2022 fatal shooting outside East High
DES MOINES, Iowa — A painful chapter in Des Moines' history is coming to a close with the sentencing of the final defendant in a deadly drive-by shooting outside East High School in 2022. The Polk County Attorney's Office said Nyang Mai Chamdual was sentenced to life in prison on Friday. Because of his age at the time of the shooting, 14, he will have the possibility of parole. He previously pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and has been held at the Boys State Training School in Eldora. He turns 18 next month. Previous stories: Deadly East High School shooting Chamdual was one of 10 teens charged in the March 7, 2022 shooting that killed 15-year-old Jose Lopez and injured Kemery Ortega and Jessica Lopez Torres. The three were outside of East High School when shots were fired from three passing vehicles. The Polk County Attorney's Office says Chamdual fired a .38 revolver from the back seat of a Ford F-150 truck in the incident. During sentencing, Chamdual's attorney Van Plumb argued for leniency for his client and said he had made 'tremendous leaps and bounds toward his rehabilitation,' and that 'He's a changed man.' Chamdual received his high school diploma while incarcerated. In the end, Chief Judge Michael Huppert sentenced Chamdual to life in prison with the possibility of parole. He applauded Chamdual's progress but said it did not balance the scales of his actions. Huppert did not set a mandatory minimum sentence, leaving the decision on when Chamdual is released up to the Board of Parole. Chamdual must also pay restitution of $150,000 to Jose Lopez's estate. The Polk County Attorney's Office provided a summary of the other defendants and their dispositions, along with their current age: Alex Santiago Perdomo, 18, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, because he was a juvenile at the time of the crime. Romeo Perdomo, 20, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, because he was a juvenile at the time of the crime. Octavio Lopez Sanchez Jr., 20, was sentenced to 70 years in prison in January 2024. He had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and two counts of willful injury. Daniel Hernandez, 21, was sentenced to 60 years in prison. He had pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder and two counts of willful injury causing a serious injury. He was a juvenile at the time of the shooting. Henry David Valladares Amaya, 21, was sentenced to 50 years in prison. He had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and two counts of willful injury causing serious injury. He was a juvenile at the time of the shooting. Manuel De Jesus Buezo, 20, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and two counts of willful injury causing serious injury. He was a juvenile at the time of the shooting. Braulio Damien Hernandez-Salas, 20, pleaded guilty to two charges of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Kevin Isidro Martinez, 19, pleaded guilty to two counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Gumaro Marquez-Jacobo, 21, was sentenced to a four-year suspended sentence. He had pleaded guilty to one count of accessory after the fact, one count of person ineligible to carry a dangerous weapon, and one count of providing a pistol or revolver to a person under 21. Final defendant sentenced in 2022 fatal shooting outside East High DMPD seeks help to find missing teen with medical condition Superheroes coming to Iowa for Des Moines Con Golf greats aim at record lows while Principal Charity Classic hopes for record high in giving Supportive housing Monarch Apartments has positive impact in first few months after opening 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
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Altoona man sentenced to prison for committing sex acts on children
ALTOONA, Iowa — An Altoona man was sentenced to prison on Friday for committing sexual acts on children. According to the Polk County Attorney's Office, 71-year-old Michael Charles Ertz pleaded guilty to committing sexual acts on three separate minors that occurred between 2013 to 2019 in Polk County and pleaded guilty to committing similar acts in Dallas County during the same time frame at a hearing on Friday. Fire causes 'significant' damage to Raccoon River Valley Bike Trail bridge in Adel In December 2024, the Altoona Police Department learned about the sexual abuse committed by Ertz when one of the victims came forward. During the execution of a search warrant, police discovered child pornography in Ertz's possession. In total, Ertz pled guilty to three counts of lascivious acts with a child and two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in the Polk County case and two counts of lascivious acts with a child in the Dallas County case. During Friday's hearing, a district judge sentenced Ertz to 50 years in prison and ordered Ertz to be supervised and monitored by the Department of Corrections for the rest of his life and to register as a sex offender. Metro News: Altoona man sentenced to prison for committing sex acts on children Fire damages defunct Des Moines restaurant building Scholastic Spotlight: SEP's Skilled Trades Extension Center Interactive art installation is first of many free summer events coming to Des Moines 'This is our Black Friday' Garden centers prepare for Mother's Day rush Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plea hearing Wednesday for ex-Ankeny Chamber CEO in theft, money laundering case
DES MOINES, Iowa — The former head of the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to be back in court Wednesday for a plea hearing. Melisa Cox, 47, is accused of stealing more than $250,000 over the three years she led the organization. In January, she was charged with 14 counts related to the alleged theft. Ankeny American Legion looking to stand out with new, patriotic mural The trial information filed in February showed she was facing eight counts: three counts of first-degree theft, three counts of unauthorized use of credit card, and one count each of money laundering and second-degree fraudulent practice. Online court records show the deal offered by the Polk County Attorney's Office is for Cox to plead guilty to one count each of first-degree theft, unauthorized use of credit card, money laundering, and second-degree fraudulent practice. Cox is expected to accept the plea deal at Wednesday's hearing. Cox faces a sentence of up to 35 years in prison. If Cox does not accept the plea deal, here trial is scheduled to begin on May 5th. Country star bringing tour to Des Moines in 2025 Plea hearing Wednesday for ex-Ankeny Chamber CEO in theft, money laundering case Ankeny American Legion looking to stand out with new, patriotic mural The countdown is on: 100 days until the 2025 Iowa State Fair; see what's new Iowans share stories to help others on National Fentanyl Awareness Day Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
