Skid loader suspects plead not guilty

Feb. 26--OTTUMWA -- The men police say stole a skid loader and used it to commit a burglary earlier this month have pleaded not guilty.

Authorities say Todd Sexton and Kyle Davis stole a skid loader from the construction site at the Market Street Bridge. But that was just the start. They allegedly took the machine to the 200 block of North Davis Street, where they stole several car transmissions. The transmissions were taken to 214 N. Marion St., and police found the skid loader at 142 Lincoln St.

Both men face charges of burglary, theft and conspiracy.

In other area cases:

--Raul Ortega III will go on trial in July on charges of interference with official acts using a dangerous weapon and carrying weapons. He was arrested after allegedly flashing a gun at a business in the 300 block of East Main Street.

--Plea proceedings are scheduled for March 18 in the case of a woman accused of stabbing an Ottumwa teen. Stephyne Stewart was charged with willful injury causing bodily injury after police went to 209 W. Fifth St. and found a 16-year-old male with a stab wound to the abdomen. Stewart's trial had been scheduled for July.

--A teenager accused of arson has entered a not guilty plea. Alexander Krauss, 18, is accused of setting fires at Highland Place, where he was a resident.

--Charges against James Deevers have been consolidated into a single case. The multiple counts of burglary have been changed to a count of ongoing criminal conduct, a Class B felony which carries up to 25 years in prison. Arraignment is scheduled for March 17.

--Christopher Jordan has pleaded not guilty to insurance fraud for allegedly providing false information. He also faces charges of arson, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony, using a juvenile to commit an indictable offense and stalking.

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