Habitually drunken, violent Mason City man loses appeal of convictions and sentences

MASON CITY – One of Mason City’s finest citizens, who has been found passed out in bushes in the Cultural Crescent, in a stupor in a North End Kum & Go bathroom, and then arrested after aggressive behavior at another Kum & Go, has lost an appeal of his convictions and sentences.

Brandon Slater, a 34-year-old ex-con who served time in the Fort Dodge Correction Facility for a violent crime, appealed his three separate convictions and sentences for public intoxication connected to his behavior in Mason City. Slater argued that the district court was required to provide specific reasons, on the record, for imposing consecutive sentences.

The Iowa Court of Appeals upheld his convictions and sentences after he found the reasoning for the imposition of consecutive sentences can be found in the overall sentencing plan.

In January of 2014, Slater pled guilty to public intoxication after an incident at Kum & Go, 1920 South Federal in Mason City. He was charged with theft and possession of drug paraphernalia, but as part of a plea deal, those two charges were dismissed. On the night of January 11, 2014, Slater allegedly decided to take items without paying from that store. Reports indicate that Slater was spotted by an employee and accused of shoplifting. He then left the store, but refused to leave the property and remained in the parking lot, yelling and “acting belligerent.” He was assessed $514.53 in that case but never made a payment.

Earlier, on the evening of December 6, 2013, an employee at the Kum N Go gas station, 1224 North Federal Avenue, called police to report that Slater had entered the restroom and locked the door and was not responding. It was reported that Slater had been in the restroom for an extended period of time and had initially responded to questions and then fell silent. When police and emergency responders arrived, the Slater said to have mumbled responses to questions. Police soon gained entry and placed him under arrest. He was assessed $214.50 in fines and fees but never made a payment.

Slater still owes Iowa courts thousands of dollars in unpaid fines, fees and restitution for his crimes.