MASON CITY – In Cerro Gordo County District Court September 27th, Cole Pearce, age 19, of Mason City was convicted for a 2nd time of violating probation and sentenced to prison by Judge Stephen Carroll.
Pearce was originally arrested on June 25th, 2010 by Mason City Police for felony theft in the 2nd degree ($1,000 to $10,000), and theft in the 4th degree a serious misdemeanor.
As part of a plea bargain Pearce pled guilty to an amended charge of theft in the 3rd degree in place of the 2nd degree felony theft. Pearce also pled guilty to the theft in the 4th degree.
As part of the plea bargain in Cerro Gordo County District Court Judge Carlynn Grupp gave Pearce a two year suspended prison sentence, a suspended fine, and two years of probation with the Iowa Department of Corrections. On the theft in the 4th degree guilty plea Pearce was sentenced to 30 days in county jail to run concurrent with a possession of marijuana conviction.
On November 24th, 2010 Cole Pearce was charged with violating probation. On December 8th, 2010 Pearce was found guilty in Cerro Gordo County District Court for the probation violation and sentenced by Judge Carlynn Grupp to 14 days in county jail.
On August 11th, 2011 a warrant was issued after Pearce was charged with violating probation a second time. Shortly after midnight on August 18th Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Cole Pearce at North Federal Ave. & 9th Street in Mason City. During the arrest he was found to have marijuana and drug paraphernalia on him and was charged with those additional offenses.
Pearce had remained in Cerro Gordo County Jail awaiting today’s court date for the violation of probation. Judge Stephen Carroll imposed the original two year suspended prison term with credit for time in jail and on probation. The sheriff’s department lists him as awaiting transport to prison.
Pearce has pled not guilty to the possession of marijuana 2nd offense and drug paraphernalia charges. On the possession of marijuana 2nd offense a trial date has been set in Cerro Gordo County District Court on November 1st at 9 a.m. Possession of marijuana 2nd offense is an aggravated misdemeanor. If convicted, Cole Pearce could face up to five years in prison.
A trial date on the drug paraphernalia charge has been for January 26th, 2012 at 8am. Possession of drug paraphernalia is a simple misdemeanor and carries up to a 30 day jail sentence.
