By Michael Schaffer - Managing Editor
The crime spree reported last August in Wayne County has resulted in convictions against two southern Iowa men. One was sentenced to prison while the other had his prison sentence suspended to probation.
Kevin Donald Allen, 20, of Seymour and Gabriel Dee McQueen, 18, of Chariton, were convicted in Wayne County on multiple criminal charges stemming from a crime spree that allegedly occurred from mid-July to early August and involved as many as five victims in three small southern Iowa communities. After the two men's arrest on Aug. 11, 2009 by a Wayne County deputy sheriff, each was charged with six counts of third degree burglary and one count of second degree theft. Additional charges would be filed later.
Allen entered a negotiated voluntary guilty plea to three counts of third degree attempted burglary and one count of unauthorized computer access, all aggravated misdemeanors. Allen was convicted on all four counts and Judge John D. Lloyd on Feb. 2 sentenced him to four, two-year prison terms to run consecutively. Allen was ordered to pay various court costs and victim restitution.
Criminal charges the court dismissed against Allen on March 3 included two counts of third degree burglary, one count of second degree criminal mischief and one count of second degree theft, all class D felonies.
McQueen entered a negotiated voluntary guilty plea to four counts of third degree attempted burglary, all aggravated misdemeanors. McQueen was convicted on all four counts and Judge Marthal Mertz on Feb. 2 sentenced him to four, two-year prison terms, each suspended to two-years probation. McQueen was ordered to pay various court costs and victim restitution.
Online court records did not indicate if McQueen's probation sentences would run consecutive or concurrent.
Criminal charges the court dismissed against McQueen on March 1 included two counts of third degree burglary, one count of second degree criminal mischief and one count of second degree theft, all class D felonies.
According to an Aug. 14, 2009 Wayne County Sheriff's press release, authorities uncovered an ATV reportedly stolen from Eric and Jennifer Couchman, tools and a generator reportedly stolen from Sheriff Keith Davis, lumber and building supplies reportedly stolen from Earl and Marge Hopkins, electrical tools reportedly stolen from Watts Electric, a chainsaw reportedly stolen from Jan Hysell plus property reportedly stolen from Bill and Joan Byrns, of Allerton and numerous other property that had been reported as stolen. Authorities also are linking damage to mail boxes and mail in Wayne County to the crime spree.
