Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Attorney Charles J. Abel, on behalf of the Guthrie County Attorney’s Office, provided the following summary of selected criminal matters resolved by the Guthrie County Attorney’s Office during the past four months. He stated that all highlighted matters were handled by the Guthrie County Attorney’s Office with disposition occurring during the reporting period, and he noted that the inclusion of a case in this summary does not mean that the case is the only, or necessarily the most significant, matter handled by the Guthrie County Attorney’s Office during the reporting period. Rather, he said, the cases highlighted are selected examples of matters determined appropriate for public summary based upon their significance, disposition, sentence or other circumstances considered to be of interest to the Guthrie County community.
Not including traffic-related citations and cases, more than 200 misdemeanor and felony criminal cases have been initiated and prosecuted through the Guthrie County Attorney’s office in 2026.
The Guthrie County Attorney’s Office works in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute criminal offenses, protect victims and the community, and ensure that cases are resolved in accordance with Iowa law.
Janna Marshno, age 40, was convicted of seven counts of Burglary in the 3rd Degree; Vehicle, 1st Offense; an Aggravated Misdemeanor; one count of Identity Theft Under $1,500, an Aggravated Misdemeanor, and two counts of Attempted Burglary in the 3rd Degree; Vehicle, 1st Offense – a Serious Misdemeanor. Marshno was sentenced to a 10 year prison sentence.
These charges stem from a series of vehicle burglaries occurring across multiple communities in Guthrie and surrounding counties during the overnight hours of Feb. 10, 2025. The investigation identified Marshno as being involved in the theft and subsequent use of a victim’s identification information, including the use of a stolen driver’s license to obtain a vehicle through a rental application, while law enforcement recovered property believed to have been taken during the burglaries. The case was investigated by the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with multiple other law enforcement agencies and resulted in charges related to the burglaries, theft of property, and related conduct.
Charles Rash III, age 39, was convicted of Grooming, a Class D Felony. At Rash’s Sentencing Hearing, the County Attorney argued for the maximum term of five years’ incarceration to be imposed while Rash argued for a deferred judgment which the court did not adopt. The court sentenced Rash to a suspended five year prison term with three years’ probation. As a part of Rash’s sentence, Rash is required to complete Sex Offender Treatment Programming, plus payment of a fine and fees, and to reside at the Fort Des Moines Residential Correctional Facility (RCF) until maximum benefits are received. Rash was also sentenced to a 10 year special parole and Sex Offender Registry requirement.
The charge stems from conduct online in which Rash was messaging a person he believed to be a child where he made attempts to engage in unlawful sexual conduct. The case was investigated by the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office.
Adam Magill, age 37, was convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) – 3rd or Subsequent Offense – a Class D Felony, with a five year prison term being imposed as a part of Magill’s sentence. Additionally, Magill was previously convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance – 3rd or Subsequent Offense – a Class D Felony and placed on probation which was subsequently revoked and a five year prison sentence was imposed as a result of the probation violation proceedings. The case was investigated by the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office.
Russell Gardner, age 51, was convicted of Driving While Barred, an Aggravated Misdemeanor, and sentence to two years in prison. The charge stems from Gardner, who was operating a motorcycle while barred from driving, failed to stop when a Guthrie County Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop. After the motorcycle was tracked into Panora, additional law enforcement officers identified Gardner, who was subsequently taken into custody. The case was investigated by the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office and assisted by the Panora Police Department.
Gardner also faces a pending charge in Polk County for Forgery, a Class D Felony, in an unrelated alleged incident. Gardner further faces pending charges in Guthrie County for (1) Forgery; (2) Identity Theft Over $1,500 and Under $10,000; (3) Dependent Adult Abuse; (4) Forgery; (5) Forgery; (6) Financial Exploitation of an Older Individual, 1st Offense; (7) Conspiracy to Commit Non-Forcible Felony, and (8) Forgery. These charges remain pending, and Gardner is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Gregory Nobles, 49 years old, was found guilty by a jury for the crime of Operating While Under the Influence. Nobles was later sentenced and convicted of Operating While Under the Influence – 3rd or Subsequent Offense – a Class D Felony. The County Attorney recommended a five year prison sentence. However, over that recommendation the Court sentenced Nobles to a five year suspended term and placed Nobles on probation for a five year period. In addition, Nobles was ordered to pay a $3,125.00 fine plus additional fees and costs, complete a drinking driver’s course, complete a substance abuse evaluation and follow all recommendations, and revocation of Nobles’ driver’s license.
The case stems from a report and request for law enforcement assistance in locating a semitruck and its driver. Law enforcement responded and successfully located the semitruck and identified Nobles as the driver. Upon making contact with Nobles and throughout law enforcement’s investigation, the officer observed signs of impairment, and a subsequent breath test at the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reported a blood alcohol concentration of 0.248. The case was investigated by the Stuart Police Department.
Matthew Jones, 54 years old, was found guilty by a jury for the crimes of Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine – and Possession of a Controlled Substance – Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine. Jones was later sentenced and convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance – 2nd Offense; Methamphetamine – an Aggravated Misdemeanor and Possession of a Controlled Substance – 2nd Offense; Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine – an Aggravated Misdemeanor. Jones was sentenced to a suspended two year prison sentence and placed on probation for a period of 18 months, complete a substance abuse evaluation and follow all recommendations, plus payment of fees and fines.
The charges stem a traffic stop for illegal window tint, during which the investigation revealed that Jones’ driving privileges were suspended. A subsequent vehicle search led to the discovery of pills identified as a prescription-only controlled substance, syringes, a digital scale, and baggies containing crystalline residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The case was investigated by the Stuart Police Department.
Branden Pryor, age 42, was previously convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance – 3rd or Subsequent Offense, a Class D Felony, and placed on probation as a part of Defendant’s original sentence. Following a contested probation violation proceeding, the court adopted the County Attorney’s recommendation and Pryor’s probation was revoked and a five year prison sentence was imposed.
Logan Stripe, age 32, was previously convicted of (1) Use of a Dangerous Weapon in the Commission of a Crime – Carrying Weapons – an Aggravated Misdemeanor, (2) Domestic Abuse Assault with Dangerous Weapon, 1st Offense, an Aggravated Misdemeanor, (3) Harassment in the 1st Degree, an Aggravated Misdemeanor, (4) Domestic Abuse Assault with Dangerous Weapon, 1st Offense, an Aggravated Misdemeanor, (5) Harassment in the 1st Degree, an Aggravated Misdemeanor, and (6) Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine; 1st Offense – a Serious Misdemeanor, where Stripe was placed on probation as a part of the original sentence.
Following probation violation proceedings, Stripe’s probation was revoked and a two year prison sentence was imposed.
Shaun Strifler, age 56, was previously convicted of Operating While Intoxicated – 3rd or Subsequent Offense – a Class D Felony and placed on probation as a part of Defendant’s original sentence. Following a contested probation violation proceeding, the court adopted the County Attorney’s recommendation and Strifler’s probation was revoked and a five year prison sentence was imposed.
A NOTE ON CASE STATUS AND PUBLIC RECORDS
The cases summarized in this publication represent selected criminal matters handled or resolved by the Guthrie County Attorney’s Office during the reporting period. The information presented is derived from public court records and other information authorized for public disclosure and is intended to provide the public with a general summary of particular case dispositions, convictions, and sentences. Unless otherwise indicated, references to convictions and sentences reflect the judgment entered by the district court as of the date of publication. Nothing in this publication is intended to comment upon the merits or anticipated outcome of any pending appeal.
The inclusion of a case in this publication does not constitute a representation that the case is the only, or necessarily the most significant, matter handled by the Guthrie County Attorney’s Office during the reporting period. Rather, the cases highlighted are selected examples of matters the Office determined appropriate for public summary based upon their significance, disposition, sentence, or other circumstances. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Prison terms may be reduced depending on many factors and rests at the sole discretion of the Iowa Department of Corrections in compliance with applicable Iowa Code.