CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A Cedar Rapids man acquitted of robbing and killing a cab driver in 2011, has now entered a plea of guilty to a federal charge connected to the killing. 44-year-old Johnathan Mitchell has been convicted of one count of interference with commerce by robbery and now faces a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. In the plea hearing, Mitchell admitted he robbed a Century cab on April 29, 2011, and took money and personal effects from the driver. Evidence admitted at the trial, showed the cab driver died of multiple stab wounds she sustained during the robbery. Prosecutors in the 2013 trial said he stabbed 54-year-old Cathy Stickley 18 times in the neck and head and stole cash from her in a Cedar Rapids alley in 2011. Police found his fingerprints in Stickley’s blood at the scene. However, a Story County jury found him not guilty of first-degree murder and robbery charges. During the 2013 trial, Mitchell admitted he stole money from Stickley to buy crack cocaine that night, but he said she was already dead, lying outside the cab on the ground in the 1500 block alley between Second and Third avenues SE. Mitchell is already serving a 7-year sentence after pleading guilty in October 2013 to assault causing serious injury, and forgery. Mitchell admitted he beat a man with a wooden handled tool in September 2010 at Coe College. The man suffered skull fractures, a large cut on the top of his head, and skin abrasions.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced on Monday the first confirmed case of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2 (RHDV2) within the state of Iowa. The disease, which was first detected in the United States in March 2020, is a highly contagious viral disease that is fatal to lagomorph species (rabbits, hares, and pikas). It does not affect humans or other animals. The disease can be spread by contact with infected rabbits, their meat or fur, or from materials that infected rabbits have come into contact with. Rabbit owners should consult their veterinarian about possible steps to protect their animals. Often, the only clinical signs of the disease are sudden death and blood-stained noses caused by internal bleeding. Owners or veterinarians with suspected cases or concerns should contact the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship immediately.
DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – A Dubuque woman is facing charges of child endangerment and neglect after police say her child drowned in a tub and was later revived. Police also say they found drug residue in the woman’s hair sample, and that of her children. In a criminal complaint, police said they were called to the 3000 block of Hillcrest Road on May 30 for a report of a six-month-old child that had drowned in the bathtub. The child was taken to the hospital for treatment. Doctors told police the child suffered a severe brain injury due to the drowning and continues to have debilitating side effects as a result. In a criminal complaint, police said the mother Champagne Sandifer-Jackson, 22, of Dubuque, told them she had put the baby in a baby bathtub with 4″ of water, while her two-year-old child was taking a bath in a larger tub. Police said Sandifer-Jackson reported turning off the water, before noticing she had missed a call from her neighbor across the hall. She then reportedly told police she left to see what a neighbor had called about. The criminal complaint says when she returned two minutes later, she said she found the water level higher than when she left, and the baby was flipped over out of his baby tub, face down in the water.
HIAWATHA, Iowa (Iowa’s News Now) — One person is injured and now facing potential charges after crashing their car in Linn County. On Sunday evening, around 7:30 pm, Linn County Deputies and first responders from Hiawatha arrived on the scene of a rollover crash at Blairs Ferry Road and Waterhouse Lane. Cameron Arneal was heading eastbound on Blairs Ferry when he lost control of the car, crossed both lanes of traffic and went into the north ditch where the car rolled. Arneal was taken to a local hospital for non life-threatening injuries. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office says charges of operating while intoxicated (drugged) and other traffic offenses are pending.
