BLACK HAWK COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – On Monday, civil rights groups filed a lawsuit against Black Hawk County and Sheriff Tony Thompson. The ACLU of Iowa says the lawsuit is to block the department from “wrongly extracting money from people before being released from jail for room and board, and other fees.” The lawsuit alleges that the sheriff’s office requires that people sign a “confession of judgment” before they leave jail and that they will pay $70 room and board per day as well as “administrative fees.” The ACLU of Iowa says that the money is then being spent on a multitude of non-jail-related expenses, including “a shooting range for the enjoyment of department employees and families, including rentals of ice cream and cotton candy machines and laser tag.” In a statement, Sheriff Tony Thompson says the fees inmates are charged are in accordance with state law and that the $70 per day fee for room and board is appropriate. Thompson’s office says the amount of money used from the funds for recreational purposes is minimal and are used for days where officers can spend time with their families and the community. Thompson’s office says these days are also used to educate the public no how to maintain their safety, and dispelling myths about the office. In a statement, Thompson says inmates, rather than taxpayers should pay for their time in jail.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – On Monday, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird held a news conference in New York City vocalizing her support for former President Donald Trump in one of his ongoing criminal court cases. Trump is accused of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments by logging them as legal expenses. He has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts. “I came all the way from Iowa to show our strong support for President Trump. He won our caucuses, our first in the nation caucuses by more than any other candidate ever has. And he will do a great job. We need him back as our president, leading our country again,” said Bird at a news conference. Bird’s office says no taxpayer dollars were used to pay for her trip to New York.
DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – The priest accused of sexually abusing boys at a Dubuque school in the 1980s appeared in an Iowa courtroom for the first time. Father Leo Riley made his initial appearance in a Dubuque County Courtroom Monday morning. Riley said little, only to acknowledge the charges against him and to confirm he had legal representation. Riley is charged with five counts of sexual abuse, as prosecutors say he molested multiple altar boys while he served at Resurrection School in Dubuque from 1984-86. The judge ordered Riley to be held on a half a million dollar cash-only bond. If he is able to post that bond, the judge ordered he must remain in Iowa and wear an ankle monitor. He is also not to have any contact with the alleged victims. Riley was arrested last month in Florida where he is serving at a Catholic Church. Riley is facing a lawsuit in Florida from a former student, who also claims Riley sexually abused him at a school there. Riley initially faced public accusations of sexual abuse in 2015 when a former altar boy went public with his story. The Dubuque Archdiocese said it contacted the Dubuque County Attorney at the time but was told the statute of limitations had expired. Instead, the church says it investigated and concluded the accusations were unfounded. According to court records, Dubuque Police launched its own investigation in 2023 when other former students came forward. At that time, the Catholic Church placed Riley on a leave of absence. Police say Riley denied the allegations and called the claims a “cash grab.”
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A Cedar Rapids man is facing multiple charges after police said he assaulted a victim, damaged a vehicle and headbutted an officer during an incident in a parking lot at the Westdale Court Apartments on Saturday. Lakedrick Hill faces charges of criminal mischief, assault, assault on persons in certain occupations, and interference with official acts. In a criminal complaint, police said they were called to a disturbance in the 2200 block of Westdale Court Southwest, where Hill had allegedly broken the windshield and damaged the driver side door panel of someone else’s vehicle. Police said Hill punched a victim in the left eye, causing redness and swelling during the incident. Hill also allegedly headbutted an officer and caused scratches to the arm of a second officer while resisting arrest.
