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Violent Mason City man arrested on 5th offense domestic abuse, owes $35k in restitution to other victims

MASON CITY – Shortly after 8 pm Sunday evening Cory Lee Craig, age 30, of Mason City was booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail on one class D felony count of Domestic Abuse Assault 3rd or Subsequent Offense.

According to Cory Craig’s Facebook page hours before the alleged attack, he wrote:

“So what to do when u feel, no when u`ve got the butt end of life?I have 2 beautiful girls that it seems i have to hang myself just to see or talk to.Not a damb thing is ever in my faver.Do i just stop caring & just go cold?Couse i feel a brisk chill as i sit here & right this.I`m about to give up & be 1 cold son of a bitch.I can try & try & try & it dont do a goddamb thing.I`m sick of all this bullshit in life that i did`nt ask for!Praying dont work, what to do?GO COLD!The cards in my life suck right now & i dont think thay`ll ever chang.”

The charge has been enhanced due to the repeated history of domestic assault tactics used by Cory Craig in the past. According to Iowa court records Cory Craig has been convicted of domestic abuse 4 times since becoming an adult, and many other violent offenses against others.

Iowa law calls for the enhancement of charges for repeated domestic abusers who are arrested by law enforcement for new domestic abuse allegations in an effort to stop the repeated behavior or take the offender off the streets. According to Iowa sentencing laws a defendant convicted of a 3rd offense shall receive up to 5 years in prison and serve no less than 1 year before being eligible for parole. The sentencing law also binds judge’s hands by specifically stating a defendant cannot receive a deferred judgment or a suspended prison sentence upon conviction.

Cory Craig’s criminal record shows how the Cerro Gordo County District Attorney’s Office and District 2A Judges have teamed up to find a loop hole to get around Iowa sentencing laws designed to put repeated domestic abusers in prison. The records show the last two times Cory Craig has been charged with Domestic Abuse Assault 3rd or Subsequent Offense, he has received 2 plea bargains to repeatedly plead guilty to a lessor misdemeanor 2nd Offense Domestic Abuse charges.

In 2003 Cory Craig was charged with a serious misdemeanor count of Domestic Abuse Assault by Mason City police. Cory Craig pled guilty to the charge, receiving 14 days in jail from Judge Colleen Weiland. Craig still owes $1421.25 in the case.

In 2007 Cory Craig was charged with a serious misdemeanor count of Domestic Abuse Assault Causing Bodily Injury. Cory Craig pled guilty to the charge, receiving 7 days in jail from Judge Carlynn Grupp. Craig still owes $1309.48 in the case.

In 2009 Cory Craig was charged with a class D felony count of Domestic Abuse Assault 3rd or Subsequent Offense by Clear Lake police after he fled the scene of the violent attack. Mason City police captured him a few days later. As part of a plea bargain Judge Carlynn Grupp approved the Cerro Gordo County Attorney’s Office’s application to amend the felony charge to a misdemeanor count of 2nd Offense Domestic Abuse Assault. Cory Craig pled guilty to the lessor offense and Judge Carlynn Grupp sentenced him to serve up to 2 years in prison on June 26th, 2009. Cory Craig was released from prison on parole on July 1st, 2010.

Just 45 days after his release from prison on parole in 2010 Cory Craig was charged with a class D felony count of Domestic Abuse Assault 3rd or Subsequent Offense by Mason City police after he fled the scene of another violent attack. Mason City police captured him a short time later. As part of a plea bargain Judge Colleen Weiland approved the Cerro Gordo County Attorney’s Office’s application to amend the felony charge to a misdemeanor count of 2nd Offense Domestic Abuse Assault. Cory Craig pled guilty to the lessor offense and Judge Carlynn Grupp sentenced him to serve up to 2 years in prison and the maximum allowable fine of $6,250 on December 20th, 2010. Cory Craig was released from prison on September 8th, 2011, serving less time than his 1st conviction on the same offense, and less then he would have been required had he been prosecuted on the original charge. Craig still owes over $9,005.45 in the case.

A parole revocation application was filed following the 2010 charge, just 45 days into his parole. Court records show Judge James Drew dismissed his parole officers attempt to violate his parole.

In addition to Cory Craig’s history of domestic abuse court records show he is also violent to members of the general public as well.

In 2000 Cory Craig was charged with an aggravated misdemeanor count of Riot and a serious misdemeanor count of Assault Causing Bodily Injury. Cory Craig was found guilty of the assault, receiving 15 days in jail from Judge Carlynn Grupp. Originally he received a deferred judgment for the riot charge, but it was later revoked after he violated probation.

In 2002 Cory Craig was charged with a serious misdemeanor count of Assault Causing Bodily Injury. He later pled guilty to an amended lessor simple misdemeanor count of Simple Assault, receiving a $100 fine.

In 2002 Cory Craig was charged with an aggravated misdemeanor count of Assault with Intent to Inflict Serious Injury by Mason City police. Cory Craig was found guilty of the assault, receiving 180 days in Beje Clark from Judge Carlynn Grupp. Cory Craig later was charged with voluntary absence from Beje Clark and received 6 days in jail. Over 10 years later Craig still owes over $12,335.59 in the case, including $8,615.05 to the victim in restitution.

In 2003 Cory Craig was charged with a simple misdemeanor count of Simple Assault and simple misdemeanor count of Trespass with Injury or Damage. Cory Craig later pled guilty to the Simple Assault and an amended Criminal Mischief 5th Degree, receiving 1 day in jail. Craig still owes over $257.25 in the case

In 2003 Cory Craig was charged with a serious misdemeanor count of Assault Causing Bodily Injury and a class D felony count of Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree by Mason City police. Craig was found guilty of both charges and was sentenced to a violators program after his 1st probation violation. After his 2nd probation violation he was sentenced to drug court. After his 3rd probation violation he was sentenced to prison to be served concurrently with an OWI case. Over 9 years later Craig still owes over $7,602.83 in the case, including $4,844.62 to the victim in restitution.

In 2003 Cory Craig was charged with an aggravated misdemeanor count of Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Owner’s Consent and a class D felony count of 2nd Degree Theft by Mason City Police. The County Attorney’s Office dismissed the theft charge brought by police, and Cory Craig was found guilty of the underlying lessor count of Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Owner’s Consent. Over 8 years later Craig still owes over $2514.76 in the case, including $ 1647.55 to the victim in restitution.

In 2012 Cory Craig was charged with a 2 serious misdemeanor counts of Assault Causing Bodily Injury. Cory Craig entered a voluntary negotiated plea of guilty to both counts and received 30 days in jail. Craig has refused to pay any of the $24,088.02, including $20,749.70 to the victim in restitution. It is unclear why he was not charged with more serious charges given the $20,749.70 cost incurred by the victims, who will be waiting in line behind the multiple 2002 and 2003 victims to collect restitution.

NorthIowaToday.com will follow this newest charge through the legal process to see if Cory Craig is afforded more plea bargain deals in order to avoid the special sentencing under Iowa law for repeated domestic abusers, should he be found guilty. It is clear the plea bargains and lax sentencing afforded Cory Craig has left multiple victims trying to collect over $35,856.92 in restitution following Craig’s violent attacks on them.

Cory CraigSUBJECT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
Cory Craig
SUBJECT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
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