ADAIR, Iowa (AP) — A small town Iowa police chief has been indicted on federal charges that he abused his position to purchase more than two dozen machine guns. Adair Police Chief Brad Wendt and Robert Williams were both charged with making false statements about whether the police department in the town of less than 800 people wanted to buy the machine guns. Wendt’s attorney didn’t respond immediately Thursday afternoon while Williams’ attorney said it’s unfortunate his client was charged without investigators “sitting down to candidly review all the circumstances and the law.” Adair City Attorney Clint Fichter said Wendt remains the police chief at this point because the city had no advance notice of the charges before they were announced Thursday.
LINN COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – On December 15th, at approximately 5:10 pm, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a two-vehicle accident at I-380 and Urbana Rd. Crews arrived to discover a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Chevy Silverado had collided. Occupants remained trapped in the vehicle until responders extricated them. The driver of the Silverado was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. A passenger in the Silverado was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of their injuries. There were no other injuries reported.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police in Iowa have charged a man in the death of a 4-year-old boy who was killed when a car that was racing on a city street crossed into oncoming lanes and crashed into two vehicles. Des Moines police say Thursday that 35-year-old Robert Miller III of Urbandale, Iowa, was arrested on multiple charges. They include homicide counts that reference reckless driving and drag racing. Police say their investigation found that Miller’s car was traveling at more than 100 mph just before the crash Tuesday night. The incident happened along a four-lane thoroughfare in Des Moines. Police say a car driven by Miller was racing an SUV.
SIGOURNEY, Iowa (KCRG) – On February 10th, 2021, the Office of the State Auditor conducted an audit of the Keokuk County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). During the audit, it was determined that the Keokuk County Emergency Management Coordinator Larry Gene Smith was authorized to purchase a 2018 Chevy Silverado for the EMA. Larry Smith traded in the agency’s 2006 Ford F-350, diesel truck for $800 to a Fleet Dealership. He then purchased the 2006 Ford F-350 from the Fleet Dealership for his personal use and ownership for $800. The vehicle was estimated to be valued at $6,600 to $14,400 based on NADA and Kelly Blue Book estimates. The State Auditor’s Office stated because the trade-in amount received for the vehicle was less than its value, the EMA incurred additional costs. On December 13th, 2022, Smith was arrested for Theft in the Second Degree. He submitted a letter of resignation from his position the next day.
