MASON CITY – A man and a woman who led police on a wild goose chase this past summer while drunk-dialing for help have pleaded guilty to a number of charges.
Wendy Jo Jorgensen, age 46, was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol on the afternoon of July 23rd for drunk driving and no insurance. On December 16, Jorgensen pleaded guilty to first offense operating while under the influence. She was given a 120 day jail sentence with 118 days suspended and ordered to pay $2,061.50 in fines and fees. She was also placed on probation for 1 year. She’s in jail now, serving her time.
On June 14, 2014, police searched for a man and a woman, 32-year-old Jason Thomas Lawler and Wendy Jo Jorgensen, who were lost in the woods north of Mason City near the Lime Creek Nature Center after Jorgensen dialed 911 and said they were scared. Police found them after a number of law enforcement agencies responded. That night, police told NIT that both were drunk and had been placed under arrest.
Two days later, Jorgensen was found guilty of public intoxication by a jury and fined $214.50. She has paid the balance in full.
Lawler faced a stiffer charge – third offense public intoxication. He pleaded not guilty on July 23rd, but on November 7 entered a guilty plea. He was sent to jail for 90 days and ordered to pay $1,082.13 in fines and court fees.
Lawler’s troubles didn’t end there, however.
At about 11 AM on the morning of August 31, Lawler was observed by a Mason City police officer urinating in a yard located at 518 North Penn. As the officer approached, Lawler made a dash for it, looking to escape, but was soon caught and arrested. He was charged with public intoxication and pleaded guilty on September 2. He was ordered to pay $214.50 in fines and court fees.
Just three days later, Mason City police were called to 1108 North Carolina Avenue on September 2 at about 8:33 PM for a disturbance. Once on the scene, officers investigated and determined that Lawler was the aggressor in a domestic incident and was again taken to jail on a charge of second offense aggravated domestic assault. He pleaded guilty to first offense domestic assault. He was given a 25 day jail sentence and ordered to pay $1,873.58 in fines and restitution to his victim. Due to this crime, a judge determined Lawler violated the terms of his probation in connection with a previous third offense public intoxication case and sent him to jail for 180 days, to be served concurrently with his 90 day jail sentence.
Records show Lawler has never made a payment on any of the above balances he owes Iowa courts. He has been in jail since September 2 and is due to grace the streets of Mason City once again when he is set free on January 26, 2015.
GUILTY
GUILTY
