NORTHWOOD – NIT has confirmed that an investigation is underway into the alleged alcohol consumption by a Worth county deputy in the company of an underage person.
Worth county sheriff Dan Fank confirmed the investigation on Thursday, when asked about it. Worth County Deputy Chad Wurtzel is alleged to have consumed alcohol in the presence of an underage person at an Ankeny hotel. A concerned citizen forwarded a photo of the alleged incident to NIT. A portion of that photo is included with this story.
The tipster wrote: “This is a picture of Worth County Deputy Chad Wurtzel sipping a poolside Busch Light with his girlfriends 19 yr old brother at a hotel in Ankeny over the weekend. This pic was posted, then taken down from a Facebook page belonging to Alli Dingman.”
The alleged incident is known to some people in Worth county, and Sheriff Fank is following through to a resolution.
“Yes it is being looked in to and I will talk to county attorney when he is back from vacation next week,” Sheriff Fank told NIT.
“At this time he is on his scheduled days off,” Sheriff Fank continued. “We will also forward information to Ankeny Police Department since it occurred in thier jurisdiction if they wish to do any follow up.”
Iowa law states, “A person shall not sell, give, or otherwise supply alcoholic liquor, wine, or beer to any person knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that person to be under legal age. A person who is of legal age, other than a licensee or permittee, who sells, gives, or otherwise supplies alcoholic liquor, wine, or beer to a person who is under legal age in violation of this section commits a serious misdemeanor punishable by a minimum fine of five hundred dollars.
Persons under the age of 21 who are in possession of alcohol could be in violation of the PAULA law – Possession of Alcohol Under the Legal Age. A first offense is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $200.00 fine plus court costs and surcharge.
I witnessed 253 cars speeding today. I saw Marquardt driving without his seat belt on. I have all the plate numbers and a picture of Marquardt. Who do call to report these crimes to. Lord forbid somebody does anything even slightly illeagle around her.
Almost sounds like a vindictive threat. Lol. 2 wrongs don’t make it right
Might be more interesting if you had a picture of a deputy sitting by and not doing anything to up hold these infractions.
I do t think it is considered public. You have to be a guest at the hotel. If your renting the room it’s considdered your dwelling. (Home). You have to have a key card to get to the pool. So not public. His mother was present. I don’t think any laws were violated.
You do not know the law. Key or no key the pool is public. The only way it wouldn’t is if it was to private pool only allowed entry to this kids Family by their key only. I don’t think the officers investigating can even stretch it that far. But good try
None of this would have happened if we would just ban beer.
Buschhhhhhhhhh
They were drinking for “religious” purposes.
Otherwise I think someone has too much time on their hands to be worrying about stuff like this. Deputy drinking at a kegger with this kid and a bunch of other kids, yes I would be concerned. Relaxing by the pool at a hotel, more important things in life to be worried about.
Religious purpose…lol…. was this kid getting baptized in this public pool? I think not. Was he giving communion? I think not. You just degraded any religious entity with that comment.
Ah-um, I was being sarcastic about religious exemptions. That’s why parents don’t need to have their kids take P.E. class That’s why kids don’t get immunizations. That’s why there are many “laws” people do not need to follow due to “religious exemptions”. This was a tongue in cheek response that this will be the excuse they use.
So it’s ok for any underaged kid to posses alcohol at any public place. If there were underaged kids at the local pool would everyone look the other way? If an off duty officer was there would he just look the other way? If your answer is yes… then all underaged persons that have ever been charged need to go to the court and demand it taken off their record… because “it’s ok” per these parents, kid, and this deputy.
You know you really have to ask, did the parents give the kid the beer and not the deputy? If so he didn’t break the law. He was obviously off duty and if the parents gave him the beer it is all good.
Marquardt is a sleeze merchant…… thats the scene he knows best.
Buschhhhhhhhhhhh
Wine at church
Looks to me that the kid is just holding the beer. I am sure that’s a grey area of the law. Mo picture of him with it to his mouth. FAKE NEWs again Marquardt. One more thing. Your a dumbass!
You’re not really that stupid are you? Way to cover up the illegal activity being condoned to take a pot shot at Matt. Classy aren’t you.
What’s stupid is that NIT posted this.
Please America. Take notice. This 20 year old is at a hotel swimming pool with his parent and it appears he may have held and possibly drank a beer. Take notice. This is such a horrendous violation of our law. Everyone’s safety is at risk!
I reiterate! Marquardt. Your a dumbass.
I reintegrate this was a public environment where laws were broken and obviously condoned by this deputy. It is news. You might not like it but it is. The public had a right to know. If you don’t want this to happen then the persons should have not broke laws in public. Are you saying it is ok to break laws? Would it be the same if this kid robbed a store and only got $10? Would you expect a off duty police to set by and say oh everyone’s ok, it was only $10 no big deal .. I’ll let the kid go??? No! It doesn’t matter what the crime is it should be treated as a crime. This is what is wrong with society today the parents do not parent and law enforcement let this happen and kids today don’t think they need to be held accountable for their actions. To many adults wanting to be friends with kids instead of upstanding role models teaching right from wrong. Too many people thinking they get special treatment. Shame on the parents of this kid, the deputy for not doing their jobs. All parties were accomplice to this kid breaking the law in public.
Your an idiot. Comparing robbing a store to drinking a beer at age 20. When I was 20 I had been in the Navy for 3 years. You keep calling him a kid. He is a legal adult. If you saw him at a hotel pool would you confront him and or call the police. This is no body’s business and certainly was not the responsibility of the off duty and outside of his jusisdiction Sheriff. This site is a joke
Marquardt was convicted of a Unruley House offense when he was this kids age. What a dick to try and screw up this kids life.
No one is trying to ruin this kids life. The kid, cop, and parents should have thought or prevented the illegal activity. It’s called accountability for your actions. If this kid didn’t want to “ruin” his own life he should not of consumed alcohol in a public place. You break the law, there are consequences.
I would disagree. Anyone with any common sense knows this is a rediculous post. I hope Matt never needs help from the police.
Not illegal if the parents gave it to him.
??? It is against the law. it was in a public environment. Every parent knows it is against the law to let drink or give their minor alcohol. So you are saying we should let all minors drink/posses alcohol in public??? If these people can ignore the law can we all???
It is against the law even if the parent gave it to a minor. I thought you conservatives were all about obeying the law.
Well if Matt was convicted then he paid his dues and held accountable. As should the kid drinking and partied that were involved and participated.
The boy is over 18 and the deputy is both off duty and out of his jurisdiction. Leave the guy alone and quit trying to create news. This site is as big of joke as it’s owner.
The 18 year old knew it was against the law to drink in public, as did the officer and this kids Family. Few think this is ok. The only people defending this are the parents, participants, and family friends. Most believe this disgrace and they need to be held accountable. If they were so concerned about this kids future, the adults and officer should have enforced to this kid… his actions in public were illegal and there are consequences.
The 19 yr old is a top baseball recruit at NIACC. Wonder how they will handle this?!?!?
If you know so much are you 100% positive that he is actually playing for NIACC? Maybe you should contact the baseball staff and find out if this is true. And get their opinion. Again why don’t you follow up on something you know about. This is what gives news resources a bad name articles printed without the actual facts. This whole article is a joke.
Reporting someone breaking the law, as an officer that has sworn oath to up hold all laws, sits and condones it in a public place is news.
I wonder what the Deputy’s personnel file looks like? Does he have a pattern of making poor choices? Has he been written up or repremanded for other things? That would probably be the dictating factor in weather or not he should be relieved of his duties.
The law says knowingly supplies to a minor.
1.From that photo how do you know and can prove for 100% that the Deputy supplied the alcohol?
2.That is not his child or under his supervision or at his premises.
How would you handle as a citizen if an off duty officer attempted to charge you with an offense?
It’s interesting that a concerned citizen sent in this photo without any background knowledge of all the information. I am sure there is more to the story than what NorthIowaToday.com is posting. It would be nice to see a news source publish something with all the information before attempting rush to judgment on someone without all the facts.
It is not necessarily the officer that supplied the alcohol to the minor. BUT the officer openly drank with an underage individual in a public environment. Bottom line.. officer was involved with, knowingly condoned illegal activity, fully participated in illegal activity in a public environment for any or all to see. It is his sworn oath to uphold the law on or off duty NO MATTER WHAT. The parents, relatives, the underaged individual, and most of the officer knew at the time this was illegal in a public environment. All present condoned this illegal activity. All should be held to the fullest accountability, especially the officer.
Two sets of laws. One for the citizens and one for law enforcement.coos protect cops.
Seriously it doesn’t matter where the picture came from or from whom… the law is the law. All police take a oath to up hold all laws whether on or off duty. Family event or not it is still against the law…. we are not in Germany lol. It will be enteresting to see if the right thing is done 1. Underaged charged with drinking underat AND public consumption. 2. The office fired for not upholding his sworn oath on or off duty. All laws apply to everyone.
Big deal! Wow has this been blown way out of proportion. Sounds like it was a family event. Under those circumstances it’s okay to consume. My goodness! Germany doesn’t have an age limit. It’s expected to drink with family.
We are not in Germany .. it’s against the law here In Iowa.
It is not okay to consume alcohol underage at a family event or anywhere in Iowa . It is against the law. There are no special privileges no matter who or where you are. This is part of societies problem. Parents and adults condone this behavior, no accountability on both parties. It is our job as parents and adults … especially police officers to teach children right from wrong.
Guess again little buckeroo…try doing some research before you blow smoke out of your ass.
Those of any age under 21 may drink in a home if a parent or guardian is present.
Iowa Code section §123.47
“A person or persons under legal age shall not purchase or
attempt to purchase, or individually or jointly have alcoholic
liquor, wine, or beer in their possession or control; except in the
case of liquor, wine, or beer given or dispensed to a person under
legal age within a private home and with the knowledge, presence, and consent of the parent or guardian.”
Thank you for proving my point that this was illegal. This was not in a home. It was at a public hotel, not even hotel room…. but at a public hotel in their public pool for any one to see this illegal activity. The adult providing alcohol to the minor should be charged, the minor should be charged, and deputy dismissed of his job for not publicly upholding the law he took an oath to do on or off duty. Any way you try to spin this .. it still boils down to illegal behavior. Accountability is a bitch isn’t it.
Meanwhile in worthless county the democrats that own/publish the northwood anchor/manly signal just printed an article of news sources – FOX is BAD ! – CNN/ABC/NBC GOOD GOOD – What a bunch of Pelosi brownshirt bullshit they are trying to spread – don’t forget the crumbs and please mow the grass along the border – We think they have just visited the new brewing company in Northwood or else the just took their daily dose of pain killers since hitlery the bitch lost – no fear Bernie the commie will be on the demopoop ticket also. GAAAAG !
Holy Cow I was sick for a second looking at the picture. Thank goodness I kept reading that is is girlfriends brother …. thank goodness. It’s better now .. not smart but better lol
Every time I come this an site it’s a eyesore – Bill Gates!.
Why?? Because the truth is told and revealed??!!!
What truth? They only printed the part of the code to get a rise out of everyone. Please read the full Iowa Code before passing judgment.
This was at a public hotel, not even hotel room… but public hotel at their public pool for any or all to see. It is illegal for underaged to drink in public. All in attendance knowing participated and condoned illegal activity… what more needs to be known? You have The Who, what and where…. the why this illegal activity was allowed is irrelevant. It is illegal for underaged to consume alcohol in a public environment period. All officers take an oath to uphold ALL laws on or off duty. How hard is that to understand??!!!
Have you been to and Iowa law-enforcement graduation ceremony? They do not have an oath that they have to uphold. Please do your research before you post untrue facts. When you’re sworn in to be a deputy you are sworn in to uphold the law. it doesn’t state on or off duty. Please do your research before you post untrue facts.
You are not seriously saying it is ok for an off duty police officer to condone and participate in illegal activity are you. This is a disgrace to all police officers that take their job seriously , and value their job. Not all police officers break the law, or condone it, or think they are above the very laws they uphold. Some officers are very upset about this behavior and believe it gives them all a bad reputation that reflects on police as a whole. The parents, kid, and officer need to be held accountable for their actions in public. All parties involved failed this kid by letting this happen in a public place,
First you should go back to school and learn how to create a sentence. Then stay off this site before you go blind.
Whoever took this picture and put it on social media, is a dumbass. I’m not saying what the deputy did is right, but it just shows how stupid people are. Looks like there might be an opening or two in the worth county sheriffs dept.
calm down, Allen.
What? At least I can spell and create a sentence
You forgot the period at the end of your sentence. 🙂
The girl who posted the illegal activity seems to work at the worth co sheriffs office also. Who appears to be the deputy’s girlfriend. So to say the least these two Worth co employees seemed to knowingly participated and condoned illegal activity in a public environment.
who cares
I agree who cares.
Citizens and other concerned officers are.