MASON CITY – A man who was involved in a fracas on Monroe Avenue last August that sent one to the hospital and landed several others in a jail cell has gotten a light punishment after he was taken to jail at that time and discovered to have bullets hidden in his underwear.
Lover Montgomery, age 28, was arrested by Mason City police for for Public Intoxication, Interference with Official Acts, and Possess and Convey Contraband into Jail – a class C felony. Montgomery had 3 rounds of .380 firearm ammunition hidden in his underwear that was located when he was changed down in the jail, law enforcement officials told NIT at the time. No firearm was located nor were there any reports that a gun was involved in the disturbance, which took place on August 6, 2014 and started in the parking lot of the liquor store on Monroe Avenue. Officers and deputies responded and made several arrests in the area. Iowa State Patrol and Mason City Fire Department also responded. Several participants fled on foot or in vehicles as law enforcement arrived. One person was hospitalized and several were arrested.
On January 14, 2015, Montgomery pleaded guilty to felony possess of a weapon in correctional institution. He received a suspended 5-year prison term and a suspended $750 fine. He was given three years of probation and ordered to pay $5,348.30 in court costs and fees. The assault charge was dropped, as were charges of public intoxication, unlawful assembly and interference with official acts.
Montgomery is now facing new charges of felony second degree theft in Cerro Gordo county brought by Mason City police. He awaits a February 13 hearing and has been released from jail. He is also facing fourth degree theft charges out of Floyd county.
