An Ottumwa man faces a felony charge after allegedly attempting to influence a witness during a recorded call from the Wapello County Jail.
Nelson Mendoza, 40, is charged with tampering with a witness, a Class D felony, and violating a no-contact or protective order, a simple misdemeanor.
Court records allege Mendoza called an individual from the jail July 18 and encouraged that person to avoid a subpoena or provide false testimony. The court records did not identify the specific case Mendoza allegedly attempted to influence.
Mendoza was previously charged with first-degree burglary following a May incident in which he allegedly forced his way into a home and injured an occupant. His trial in that case is scheduled for September 1.
Mendoza remains in the Wapello County Jail. Bond in the witness-tampering case is set at $10,000.
The charges are accusations, and Mendoza is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.