BLACK HAWK COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – A federal lawsuit against the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office over jail fees charged to inmates can move forward, according to court documents. The ACLU of Iowa and others on behalf of people charged the fees filed the lawsuit in 2024. It claimed the sheriff’s office forced people to sign agreements promising to pay fees before release, sometimes without knowing what they were signing. The lawsuit alleged 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 lawsuit claimed the fees are not used for jail costs and instead support off-duty perks like a shooting range, ice cream and laser tag. A federal judge dismissed the case in 2024. A federal appeals court reversed the decision Wednesday. The case will now return to federal district court.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTTC/KCRG) – On Monday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Robert Rotter, who is a longtime sheriff in Iowa County, as U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Iowa. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) had recommended Rotter for the job and successfully advanced his nomination through the Judiciary Committee in March. Rotter’s confirmation was part of a larger nominations package of 49 executive nominees. His confirmation reportedly passed by a vote of 46-43, along with 21 fellow nominees that Grassley advanced through the Judiciary Committee. Prior to his confirmation, Rotter was serving his fifth term as the Sheriff of Iowa County and had served in Iowa’s state and local government for more than 30 years.
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI/KCRG) – A juvenile was taken into custody Wednesday after an alleged threat at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School in West Des Moines. West Des Moines police responded to the school around 11 a.m. Upon arrival, officers contacted the juvenile, removed the person from campus, and transported the person to juvenile court intake. Investigators say no weapons were found on campus and no acts of violence occurred. The incident did not disrupt school operations. Police credited the School Resource Officer program and communication with campus staff for the quick response. The incident remains under investigation.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – About a year after a state audit, a former county employee is being criminally charged. Wade Schultz, 56, of Lisbon, is the former Operations Superintendent for the Johnson County Conservation Department. He faces felony charges of first and second-degree theft, as well as misdemeanor charges of misconduct in office and tampering with records. He is accused of stealing around $38,000 in payroll and benefits. The state audit found that he was paid for 864 hours when he wasn’t actually working. The issue was first reported back in August of 2022. He is also accused of taking $1,600 in wood to build two tables for personal use. The audit said Schultz took wood used for county projects from the Cangleska Wakan sawmill. Staff said they were often told to help Schultz with personal wood working projects. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Conservation Board initially investigated the claims before contacting the State Auditor’s Office. The audit was then shared with the Office of the Iowa Attorney General. Schultz was arrested in February and had an initial appearance to review the charges in April. He was released from the Johnson County Jail without bond. The 2025 audit also uncovered improper disbursements and unsupported payments tied to the county’s former Conservation Director, Larry Gullett. He has since died.
