A Keokuk man was sentenced yesterday to 57 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon.

According to public court documents, Octavius Sergio Dion Whitaker, 28, stole two firearms from the Farm King in West Burlington on October 27, 2022. Both firearms were later recovered by law enforcement in possession of other individuals.

After completing his prison term, Whitaker will be required to serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), as well as the West Burlington Police.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

On November 22, 2023, at approximately 5:50 PM Des Moines County deputies were dispatched to Timberline Estates at 14876 Washington Road Lot# 65 in reference to a disorder and violation of a no contact order.  Deputies were informed by a resident at Lot #65 that Kendrell Rogers had attempted to enter the residence through a window, and then fled on foot. Rogers had an active no contact order with a resident at that location. Deputies attempted to locate Rogers but were unable to find him at that time.

Then, just 37 minutes later, deputies were dispatched once again to 14876 Washington Road Lot #65 after they were advised by a complainant that Rogers had returned. At this time, he was pounding on the door. Deputies located Rogers at the residence, where he took off on foot, attempting to elude deputies.

Rogers was apprehended a short time later at a nearby trailer lot, where he was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to the Des Moines County Jail.

Kendrell Rogers, age 31, of West Burlington, IA was charged with Stalking (D-Felony), 2 counts of Violation of a No Contact Order, and Interference with Official Acts.

Rogers was previously found at this residence with another male. In September, Rogers assaulted a victim and choked her.

At that time, he was charged with Burglary 1^st degree, Aggravated Domestic Abuse/Assault, Violation of a No Contact Order, and Trespass.

The Mt. Pleasant Community School Board will meet in special session tonight for what is essentially an organizational meeting. Members who were elected on November 7^th will take the oath of office and officially become a part of the board for their length of term. A school board president will be elected, as well as a vice president, board secretary/treasurer, and determine the committee assignments.

Representative Jeff Shipley will be in attendance and provide insight from the Iowa House of Representatives. He is scheduled to be the first “big item” on the agenda.

This meeting will take place at 6:00pm in the Highschool media center. This is open to the public, as are all of these meetings, and usually lasts around an hour.

An 82 year old was killed in a motor vehicle accident in Keokuk County on Saturday, November 25^th.

A vehicle was traveling northbound at the 31500 Block 323^rd Avenue, and crossed the center line, striking a second vehicle head on. The first vehicle came to rest in the west ditch, while the other vehicle ended up on the east shoulder.

Marsha Patterson, 79 of West Chester, and Kathy Wagamon, 47 of Brighton, were injured as a result of this accident. Both women were wearing their seat belts. Marsha was transported to the University of Iowa Hospital by air-care, while Kathy was transported by Keokuk County Ambulance.

There were two additional injuries due to the accident, but seat belts were used, and these two individuals were transported to the University of Iowa Hospital, one by air-care and one by ambulance.

Multiple ambulance services provided attention at the scene.

Frank Patterson of West Chester was transported to Keokuk County Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.