Adair County: Arrests made on harassment, assault, fraud cases

Carli D. Venhaus, 19, of Stuart, was taken into custody 8:51 p.m. Dec. 7, in the 500 block of South Gaines Street on an Adair County warrant for the charges of harassment, first degree and assault causing bodily injury.

According to an Adair County report, on Nov. 18 a female victim reported at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 17 she had been assaulted by Venhaus in Stuart. The victim said during a verbal argument Venhaus became angry, grabbed her, threw her to the ground and punched and kicked her. The victim said she was struck on the left side of her head and face and had swelling, redness and bruising to her face and arm. Deputies observed visible bruising to the victim’s left eye and a bruise on her right arm, consistent with the altercation she described.

Two witnesses independently stated they saw Venhaus shove the victim, force her head against a window, throw her to the ground and punch her in the face. Both also said they saw the victim fall to the ground and then get up and strike Venhaus back.

The victim said during the incident Venhaus threatened to shoot one of her family members if they came onto the property. Witnesses confirmed hearing the threat and said it was made about the family member and a friend who were there to help the victim move.

A video recorded by another witness captured audio of a female, identified as Venhaus, stating “they” could come inside all they wanted and that she’d have a bullet to their head. Additional statements on the recording indicated the threat would be carried out if the family member or friend entered the residence.

Venhaus admitted to grabbing the victim and shoving her to the ground during the incident.

Venhaus was transported to the Adair County Jail where she was released from after posting $2,000 cash or surety bond.

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Hilario Ramos Garcia, 21, of Stuart, was taken into custody 4:27 a.m. Dec. 9, in the 1200 block of Stuart Road on the charges of OWI, first offense, disorderly conduct, interference with official acts and harassment, first degree.

According to a Stuart Police report, at approximately 2:41 a.m. a traffic stop was conducted on a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan after the vehicle was observed being unable to maintain its lane or speed and crossing the center line multiple times. Contact was made with the driver, identified as Garcia and open alcohol containers were observed in plain view by officers.

When Garcia exited the vehicle at officer’s request, he appeared to have trouble maintaining his balance. His eyes were bloodshot and watery, and he had the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person. He said he had drank three beers before being stopped.

Garcia was asked to stand against his vehicle while officers spoke to each other but Garcia began walking toward the officers multiple times and was given instructions to return to his vehicle and to keep his hands out of his pockets. Garcia began calling officers derogatory names, continued to disobey the command to remain by his vehicle and continued to walk toward officers with his fists clenched. Officers attempted to handcuff Garcia, but he pulled away and again clenched his fists, leading officers to believe he would swing at them. Garcia was assisted to the ground where a short altercation took place before he was able to be handcuffed.

While Garcia was being transported to the jail, he kicked the prisoner cage and threatened officers in Spanish.

Once at the jail, officers told Garcia they were going to continue with the OWI investigation. During field sobriety testing, officers observed many indicators of impairment. Garcia consented to provide a breath sample for chemical testing, the result of which indicated his BAC to be .207%.

Garcia is being held in the Adair County Jail on $2,000 cash or surety bond as well as a Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer and arrest warrant.

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Derik W. B. Pickrell, 41, of Fontanelle, was taken into custody 1:48 a.m. Dec. 11, in the 300 block of Main Street in Fontanelle on the charges of domestic abuse assault impeding air or blood flow causing injury and driving while barred.

According to a Greenfield Police report, at approximately 11:30 p.m. Dec. 10, Pickrell assaulted a female during a verbal dispute. The victim stated Pickrell grabbed her by the neck with both hands and said vulgar things to her. Pickrell then opened a door to leave striking her with it in the process and again grabbed her by the neck with both hands. The victim said she did not lose consciousness but did gasp for air.

The victim also provided officers with a video showing Pickrell getting into and driving a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Jeep was parked outside of the residence where Pickrell was taken into custody. Pickrell has a barred driver’s license.

Pickrell was transported to the Adair County Jail where he was released from after posting $5,000 cash or surety bond.

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Robert E. Stringer, 42, of Greenfield, was taken into custody 11:50 p.m. Dec. 11, in the 300 block of East Iowa Street on an Adair County warrant for the charge of insurance fraud - presenting false information.

According to an Iowa Insurance Division report, on Sept. 3, 2024, Stringer knowingly submitted a fraudulent insurance claim to his insurance provider. Stringer emailed a detailed spreadsheet listing items he claimed were lost during a tornado.

Investigators determined many of the items were either significantly overvalued or were never owned by Stringer. One item, a wedding ring Stringer claimed was valued at $2,500 was proven to be valued at $143.99 with a receipt officers obtained from the jeweler.

Stringer was transported to the Adair County Jail where he was released from after posting $1,000 cash or surety bond.