Author: Allison Jacobs

Mount Pleasant and much of southeast Iowa are dealing with flooding concerns after heavy rain soaked the area this morning, with 2.36 inches of rain recorded in the last 24 hours — including 2.1 inches this morning alone.

The heavy downpour has overwhelmed storm drains in Mount Pleasant, causing water to collect on streets and in low-lying areas.

Drivers are urged to use caution and never drive through flooded roads. Officials warn it only takes a small amount of moving water to sweep a vehicle away, and road damage may be hidden beneath the surface.

And the weather threat is not over yet.

The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities says storms are expected to redevelop through 6 p.m. this evening, with the greatest severe weather threat focused across southern and eastern Iowa. Forecasters say the biggest concern remains recurring heavy rain, which could lead to more flooded roads, low-lying areas, fields, and even basements.

There is also the potential for damaging winds, frequent lightning, and isolated tornadoes, depending on how far north the severe weather threat pushes.

The National Weather Service reminds everyone: When thunder roars, head indoors — and always stay alert for watches and warnings. Stay tuned to KILJ for the latest weather updates throughout the day.

Christopher Matthew Sanchez of Lincoln, Nebraska is being held in the Henry County Jail after authorities say he engaged in sexually explicit online communication with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old in Mount Pleasant.

According to court records, Sanchez began chatting online with the minor on March 1st and allegedly escalated the conversation to sexual topics, requesting nude photos and videos involving sexual acts on multiple occasions. Investigators say Sanchez also sent nude images of himself.

Authorities later identified Sanchez as a registered sex offender in Nebraska, a fact confirmed by detectives with the Lincoln Police Department’s Special Victims Unit.

Sanchez was arrested on May 15th on a nationwide extradition warrant and faces three counts of Telephone Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Minor, an aggravated misdemeanor; one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, a Class B felony; and one count of Grooming, a Class D felony.

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

A Burlington teenager is facing multiple charges after leading Des Moines County deputies on a motorcycle chase early Tuesday morning.

According to the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to stop a motorcycle around 12:41 a.m. near North Central Avenue and Spring Street after noticing it was being driven without lights. Authorities say the motorcycle also ran a stop sign without slowing down.

Deputies activated emergency lights and sirens, but the driver accelerated and refused to stop, leading law enforcement on a pursuit through Burlington.

The chase ended near North 8th Street and Arch Street when the motorcycle crashed while attempting a turn. Investigators say the driver then fled on foot but was captured after a brief chase.

The suspect was identified as 18-year-old Johnathen James Bourquin of Burlington.

Deputies say a search of Bourquin turned up several pills, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Investigators also recovered ammunition and a Sig Sauer 9-millimeter handgun after Bourquin allegedly threw the firearm into a wooded area while running from deputies.

Bourquin was taken to the Des Moines County Correctional Center and charged with eluding, failure to obey a stop sign, failure to use headlamps, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to affix a drug tax stamp, person ineligible to carry a dangerous weapon, and interference with official acts while armed with a firearm.

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

A Burlington man has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison on drug charges.

According to federal court records, 48-year-old Michael Alexander Patoir was sentenced June 10th to 10 years behind bars after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Authorities say the case stems from a traffic stop in March of 2024, when law enforcement discovered more than nine-and-a-half pounds of methamphetamine in the backseat of Patoir’s vehicle.

Following his prison term, Patoir will also serve five years of supervised release. Federal officials note there is no parole in the federal system.

The sentencing announcement was made by United States Attorney David C. Waterman. The investigation was conducted by the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office and the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force.