On 6/16/2019 at 11:34 p.m., the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of a vehicle in the ditch located in the 3700 block of 360th Street. The reporting party advised that it appeared that there were people near the vehicle who appeared to be fine and that they were looking for a dog. Upon an investigation into the accident, it was determined that a 2004 Ford Ranger owned by Sylvia Jane Loken was traveling east on 360th Street when for unknown reasons it left the traveled portion of the roadway. After leaving the roadway, the Loken vehicle entered the south ditch area and made contact with a traffic support sign before reentering the roadway and exiting into the north ditch area. The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office could not determine which of the occupants of the vehicle were operating the motor vehicle at the time of the accident. During this investigation, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office arrested Sylvia Jane Loken, age 57 of Whittemore, on the charges of Interference with Official Acts. The other occupant of the vehicle, Stacey Lynn Baxter, age 47 of Whittemore, was arrested for Interference with Official Acts. Both Loken and Baxter were transported to the Palo Alto County Jail where they were booked in and held on the simple misdemeanor charges and until their initial appearance before a magistrate judge. The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Palo Alto County Health System, the Ruthven Fire Department and the Iowa State Patrol. Damage was estimated at $200.00 to the traffic control device and $500.00 to the Loken vehicle. There were no reported injuries as a result of the accident.
Additionally, Stacey Lynn Baxter was charged with Possession of Controlled substance in a correctional institution (Class D Felony), Possession of a controlled substance-1st Offense (Serious Misdemeanor), Failure to Affix Drug Stamp (Class D Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple Misdemeanor). Baxter would be held until her initial appearance before a magistrate judge.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.