GUILTY IA - Mollie Tibbetts, 20, found deceased, Poweshiek County, 19 Jul 2018 *Arrest* #51

[imstilla.grandma]

Saturday marks 3 years since Mollie Tibbetts' body discovered

 

[skyedaze]

Bring on Aug 30th!

 

[FrostedGlass]

A big 12-state human trafficking sting was reported Friday; Iowa was among them. Was that the reason the prosecutor was protesting so loudly against what the defense wanted to present? No names or businesses were published.
Iowa agencies take part in human trafficking sting

Iowa law enforcement agencies participating in the operation included the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Ankeny Police Department, Clive Police Department, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Des Moines Police Department, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Urbandale Police Department, Walcott Police Department, West Des Moines Police Department, and the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force conducted 10 operations to combat human trafficking throughout Iowa.

DPS said officers executed 10 search warrants, identified five businesses involved in sex trafficking, made 11 arrests and seized a large quantity of cash.

 

[Seattle1]

I wish they would be more specific about the business (fronts) and IA counties involved.

Iowa agencies take part in human trafficking sting

8/27/2021

DPS said officers executed 10 search warrants, identified five businesses involved in sex trafficking, made 11 arrests and seized a large quantity of cash.

“Human trafficking uniquely affects Iowa given our proximity to major metropolitan areas like Kansas City and Chicago and the intersection of two major interstate systems,” said Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens. “As a result, we know human trafficking is happening in Iowa and that it occurs in a variety of settings. We thank our law enforcement partners and state and federal prosecutors for the unified commitment to stamp out human trafficking in our cities and counties throughout Iowa. We will continue to provide training and resources designed to identify and effectively respond to human trafficking in whatever form it may take. Together we can prevent this from happening in our state, because even one victim is one too many.”

DPS officials said officers were able to rescue and provide medical and other needed services to victims and sex workers, and arrested perpetrators across the country in connection with human trafficking. Other states conducted “minor recovery” operations that were designed to rescue those most vulnerable and easily manipulated by human traffickers.

 

[Seattle1]

Human trafficking operation across 12 states leads to 102 arrests and 47 victims identified

12-state human trafficking operation rescues 47 victims

 

[Niner]

Monday, August 30th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1:30pm CT) – IA – Mollie Cecilia Tibbetts (20) (missing July 18, 2018, Brooklyn; found Aug. 21, 2018) – *Cristhian Bahena Rivera aka John Budd (24/now 27) arrested (8/21/18), charged (8/22/18) & arraigned (9/19/18) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $5M cash only bond. No bond (5/28/21) pending sentence.
ICE logged an immigration detainer on Rivera. Confessed to killing Mollie.
Trial began on 5/17/21 with jury selection & ended 5/18/21. Trial started on 5/19/21 & ended on 5/27/21). Trial moved from Poweshiek County to Scott County in Davenport. 12 jurors & 3 alternates (8 women & 7 men); Jurors: Hispanic/Latino/Spanish-3, White-12 (now 9-minus alternates), jurors ages range from 19 to 71. Jury instructions added 2nd degree murder, voluntary manslaughter & involuntary manslaughter.
5/27/21: Jurors started deliberations @ 1:30pm CT to ~4:30pm CT. Total: ~3 hours (+ 6 mins). 5/28/21: Jurors started deliberations ~8:30am CT to ~12:30pm (for lunch) (~4 hours). Started back @ ~1pm CT to ~1:10pm (10 mins). VERDICT Reached!
Total deliberations: ~7 hours & 16 minutes. Guilty of 1st degree murder. No bond pending sentencing. Sentencing was to be on 7/15/21 has been delayed. Judge denied motion for new trial. Sentencing hearing on 8/30/21.
Court hearings from 8/22/18 thru 5/13/21 & Jury selection (Days 1 & 2) 5/17 to 5/18/21 & Trial (Days 1-7) 5/19 thru 5/27/21 & Jury deliberations (Day 1-2) 5/27/21 & 5/28/21 & court info from 7/14/21 thru 7/20/21 see post #326 here:
GUILTY - IA - Mollie Tibbetts, 20, Poweshiek County, 19 Jul 2018 *Arrest* #50
7/23/21: Motion to file under seal by Jennifer Frese. Other Order: Order approving Motion to file under seal by Joel Yates. Motion hearing set on 7/27/21 for new trial.
7/27/21 Update: Defense calls Sheriff Deputy Joe Meyer (not involved with Mollie's case). Says he took a call from a man last night, complaining of harassment by Sarah - Xavior's mother. Third-hand information. Defense calls Arne Maki. Serving time for domestic violence. Getting out in December. He’s the inmate who came forward after Rivera testified at trial. The defense calls Special Agent Trent Vileta with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation who in charge of case. He says they were getting around 100 tips per day in Mollie's case. Testified at length in CBR trial. Defense calls Ron Pexa back-implying he was the Tama County LEO who was in on the sex trafficking. Next up Samantha Rix asked about Xavior Harrelson, Judge tells defense to stick with Mollie's case. Defense calls Ben Johnston. Works for Mahaska County Sheriff, narcotics division. Next up is deputy from the IA County Sheriff’s Office. He followed a vehicle connected to James Lowe re: the disappearance of Xavior Harrelson. Lowe at some point flees on foot. Located an hour later. Defense rests. Judge says he will offer written ruling later on motion for new trial.
7/27/21 Update: Motion to Quash by State. 7/29/21 Update: Order to restrict access to records filed by State. 8/2/21 Update: Judge Joel Yates ruled on Motions for new trial & arrest of judgment are overruled & denied by judge in Mollie’s murder case. Sentencing hearing for Rivera is set for August 30, 2021 at 1:30pm.

 

[girlhasnoname]

Please, let this monster never see the light of day as a free man ever again.

#Justice4Mollie

 

[FrostedGlass]

I wish they would be more specific about the business (fronts) and IA counties involved.

Iowa agencies take part in human trafficking sting

8/27/2021

DPS said officers executed 10 search warrants, identified five businesses involved in sex trafficking, made 11 arrests and seized a large quantity of cash.

“Human trafficking uniquely affects Iowa given our proximity to major metropolitan areas like Kansas City and Chicago and the intersection of two major interstate systems,” said Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens. “As a result, we know human trafficking is happening in Iowa and that it occurs in a variety of settings. We thank our law enforcement partners and state and federal prosecutors for the unified commitment to stamp out human trafficking in our cities and counties throughout Iowa. We will continue to provide training and resources designed to identify and effectively respond to human trafficking in whatever form it may take. Together we can prevent this from happening in our state, because even one victim is one too many.”

DPS officials said officers were able to rescue and provide medical and other needed services to victims and sex workers, and arrested perpetrators across the country in connection with human trafficking. Other states conducted “minor recovery” operations that were designed to rescue those most vulnerable and easily manipulated by human traffickers.

I took the following info from the link.

Iowa law enforcement agencies participating in the operation included the:
Iowa Department of Public Safety
Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force

Walcott Police Department = City in Muscatine and Scott
Jasper County Sheriff’s Office
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Ankeny Police Department = City in Polk County
Des Moines Police Department = City in Polk Co
West Des Moines Police Department = City in Polk Co
Urbandale Police Department = City in Polk and Dallas
Clive Police Department = City in Polk and Dallas Co
Dallas County Sheriff’s Office

IMO, LE interest in the Walcott area is noteworthy. I remember the defense team asking about drugs being trafficked more along major highways and the (non)response was something about having drugs all over. This is from Wikipedia: "The population was 1,629 at the 2010 census. Walcott's interchange on Interstate 80 is home to an enormous complex of restaurants, motels and truck stops, including the Iowa 80 truck stop, which is the world's largest."

 

[Seattle1]

I took the following info from the link.

Iowa law enforcement agencies participating in the operation included the:
Iowa Department of Public Safety
Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force

Walcott Police Department = City in Muscatine and Scott
Jasper County Sheriff’s Office
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Ankeny Police Department = City in Polk County
Des Moines Police Department = City in Polk Co
West Des Moines Police Department = City in Polk Co
Urbandale Police Department = City in Polk and Dallas
Clive Police Department = City in Polk and Dallas Co
Dallas County Sheriff’s Office

IMO, LE interest in the Walcott area is noteworthy. I remember the defense team asking about drugs being trafficked more along major highways and the (non)response was something about having drugs all over. This is from Wikipedia: "The population was 1,629 at the 2010 census. Walcott's interchange on Interstate 80 is home to an enormous complex of restaurants, motels and truck stops, including the Iowa 80 truck stop, which is the world's largest."

Thanks, @FrostedGlass. This confirms that Poweshiek County was not on the list.

 

[FrostedGlass]

Thanks, @FrostedGlass. This confirms that Poweshiek County was not on the list.

That, or they chose to not publish that info. I'm interested in knowing how long
Operation United Front has been in existence.

Sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m. in Poweshiek County. The proceedings will be live streamed
Home | wqad.com

 

[FrostedGlass]

Watch Live: Cristhian Bahena Rivera Sentenced for Murdering Mollie Tibbetts

Another link

 

[FrostedGlass]

And so it's done. What a sad case...

 

[PrairieWind]

I didn't get to see. What did the judge say?

 

[katydid23]

I didn't get to see. What did the judge say?

LWOP!

The judge was very stern and serious, said he had no leeway, as LWOP was mandated for this verdict and charge. But he said it was well deserved.

Court TV will probably have it on YouTube in awhile.

 

[StarryStarryNight]

Life in prison without possibility of parole.

 

[Jax49]

LWOP!

The judge was very stern and serious, said he had no leeway, as LWOP was mandated for this verdict and charge. But he said it was well deserved.

Court TV will probably have it on YouTube in awhile.

 

[StarryStarryNight]

I missed watching it live, but am so happy about the sentence.
I feel certain that his grandstanding moronic defense team will find future ways to prolong the suffering of Mollie’s family.
RIP Mollie.
Peace to her family.

 

[PrairieWind]

And so it's done. What a sad case...

I'd like to think its over, but there will certainly be an appeal. I think that appeal will center around the Miranda issue, but I doubt it will be successful. He abducted her, killed her, and left her in a corn field.

 

[katydid23]

I'd like to think its over, but there will certainly be an appeal. I think that appeal will center around the Miranda issue, but I doubt it will be successful. He abducted her, killed her, and left her in a corn field.

That defense duo already said they were going to appeal. No surprise there....

 

[PrairieWind]

That defense duo already said they were going to appeal. No surprise there....

Sure. There is no disincentive to not appeal.