Month: February 2026

Lee County Sheriff’s Deputies investigated and determined two dogs were in dire need of medical care and appropriate shelter on January 23, 2026.  The dogs were seized by the Sheriff’s Office and placed into the care of PAW Animal Shelter, according to a department press release.  An investigation was completed and led to the arrest of Jesse Elihu Burdette.  Burdette was charged with two counts of Animal Neglect Causing Injury and two counts of No Rabies Vaccinations, and jailed.  On February 10,2026, both dogs were court ordered to be surrendered to the custody of the Lee County Sheriff who transferred custody to PAW Animal Shelter to continue to receive the appropriate medical care.  The Lee County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Lee County Attorney’s Office and PAW Animal Shelter for their assistance in this case.

A charge is merely an accusation; a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Area fire departments, the Henry County Sheriff’s Department, and EMS responded to field fires this afternoon and a motor vehicle accident with injuries.

Just outside of Trenton, a motor vehicle accident was reported in the 1700 block of Franklin Avenue.  The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, EMS, and the Henry County Sheriff’s Department responded.

The Salem Fire Department along with the Hillsboro Fire Department worked to extinguish an out of control grass fire that eventually spread to a garage at 1425 Salem Road today.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department responded to an out-of-control field fire threatening equipment in the 1900 block of Iowa Avenue this afternoon.

In addition, there have been multiple out of control field and grass fires reported throughout southeast Iowa this afternoon.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a scam targeting local families.

On February 12, 2026, authorities discovered that scammers have been impersonating the Sheriff’s Office by calling relatives of incarcerated individuals and requesting bail bond money over the phone.

Officials emphasize that the Sheriff’s Office will never call and ask for bail bond money on behalf of inmates. Bail bonds must be posted in person either at the Sheriff’s Office or at the Henry County Courthouse.

Anyone who receives a suspicious call like this is urged not to provide any personal or financial information and to report the incident to their local law enforcement agency immediately.

The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office has released details about an incident involving an inmate at the county jail.

According to Sheriff Kevin Glendening, deputies responded at approximately 9:44 a.m. on February 10, 2026 to the Des Moines County Correctional Center to assist with moving an inmate identified as Charles Lee Weddington, 32, of Burlington.

Authorities say Weddington was given verbal commands to approach his cell door to be handcuffed but refused to comply. When deputies opened the cell door and issued additional commands, Weddington allegedly threw an object and striking a deputy. He then charged at deputies and threw a punch.

Officials say Weddington continued to resist and fight, and a taser was deployed. During the struggle, Weddington allegedly attempted to disarm a deputy of the taser. He was eventually handcuffed and removed from the cell.

One deputy sustained an injury to his right hand during the incident.

Weddington has been charged with interference with official acts causing bodily injury, disarming a peace officer, and assault on persons in certain occupations.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

A Mediapolis man has been arrested following an assault on a nurse earlier this month

On February 5, 2026, deputies with the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to 142 North Orchard Street in Mediapolis for a report of a nurse who had been assaulted by a resident.

Authorities say Erik Creighton Bienfang, 28, of Mediapolis allegedly struck the nurse in the face and choked them, causing bodily injury. Deputies also learned that prior to the assault, Bienfang reportedly locked himself in a room with the nurse and refused to allow them to leave.

Following the incident, Bienfang fled the residence on foot but was located a short distance away and taken into custody without further incident.

He was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center and charged with false imprisonment and assault on persons in certain occupations causing bodily injury.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Two inmates at the Iowa State Penitentiary are facing attempted murder charges following a nearly fatal assault on two staff members last month.

According to court records, Dennis Lane Lawson, 29, and Anthony Sebastian Bauer, 23, have each been charged with two counts of attempted murder, Class B felonies, and one count of possession of a weapon in a correctional institution, a Class C felony.

A criminal complaint states that at approximately 9:37 a.m. on January 21, 2026, the two inmates were participating in the prison’s long-term restricted program when the assault occurred. Two counselors were providing classroom instruction and were in the process of handing out homework when Bauer and Lawson allegedly attacked.

Authorities believe the assault was coordinated. Both inmates reportedly produced improvised shiv-type weapons, described as sharpened objects fashioned from available materials, and used them to strike one counselor in vital areas including the neck, throat, head, back, and sides in what investigators describe as an apparent attempt to kill.

When the second counselor intervened, that staff member was also allegedly attacked and struck multiple times in similar areas.

The assault ended only after multiple correctional officers responded and forcefully gained control of both inmates.

Both counselors were transported to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center for treatment. A press release from the Iowa Department of Corrections says both have since been released from the hospital.

Bauer is currently serving a 50-year sentence after pleading guilty in 2021 to second-degree murder and three counts of reckless use of a firearm in connection with a fatal New Year’s Day 2021 shooting in Sioux City.

Lawson is serving a 15-year sentence after pleading guilty in 2021 to second-degree robbery, willful injury causing serious injury, and felon in possession of a firearm in connection with a 2020 shooting in Sioux City.

Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for 11 a.m. February 20, 2026 at the North Lee County Courthouse and will be held via Zoom.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation. Assisting agencies include the Lee County Attorney’s Office and the Fort Madison Police Department.