MASON CITY – A Mason City felon and long-time wrong-doer was sent to prison for decades this week after attempting to escape from guarded custody while in Mercy Hospital this summer.
Dale J. Lewis, age 43, was in Mercy Hospital on the fourth floor on July 15 receiving treatment under the guard of Cerro Gordo deputy Kaitlin Schmitz. Lewis was in custody and charged with felony forgery and fifth degree theft. Lewis attacked Schmitz, knocking her to the ground and attempted to subdue her. After a struggle, Lewis fled from Schmitz and ran down the fourth floor hallway, striking a nurse and causing injury. As Lewis continued to flee, Schmitz caught up to Lewis and deployed an electronic taser strike to him. Lewis was then taken into custody without further incident.
Lewis was charged with felony escape from custody, felony assault on a corrections officer, felony interference with official acts, serious misdemeanor assault with intent to cause serious injury and a charge by Mason City police of assault on a health care provider. Schmitz and the injured nurse also both received medical treatment.
Lewis and his public defender entered guilty pleas to the forgery charges and several other charges in connection with the incident on July 15. At his sentencing on November 14, judge Karen Salic sent Lewis to prison for 32 years. Lewis has already left the Cerro Gordo jail to begin serving his time.
