CLEAR LAKE – A man who was investigated by Mason City police 4 years ago after complaints by neighbors that animals were being shot and stuffed into a dryer is now a Clear Lake schoolteacher.
No serious charges were ever filed against 25-year-old Francis J. Lapointe, formerly of Mason City and now residing in Clear Lake. Lapointe was a 1st grade teacher for the Clear Lake School District in 2015 now is a 2nd grade teacher there.
NorthIowaToday.com reported in May of 2011 that Mason City police were investigating complaints from neighbors in northwest Mason City about finding dead birds in their yards. NIT was alerted to the situation by a concerned neighbor, which led to looking into the situation to produce a news report.
A neighbor to Francis J. Lapointe at that time told NIT that there were several officers at 316 5th Street NW on Thursday, May 5, 2011. The officers were “carrying garbage sacks which supposedly had dead squirrels in them. They hauled out quite a few guns as well. The law was there for hours.”
Police were first called to the area the day before, on May 4th, after neighbors called to complain about “a neighbor shooting a BB gun from the residence.” Two neighbors told police that they were finding dead birds on their property, both of which are apparently adjacent or near to 316 5th Street NW. Neighbors told police this was “an on going issue.”
Neighbors pointed out to police objects on the property or yard at 316 5th Street NW with what appeared to be bullet or BB holes in them, such as a litter box, a clothes dryer, and “several squirrel feeders” with “BB or pellet holes in the lumber the feeders were made out of.”
All the objects with BB holes faced the north side of the house at 316 5th Street NW. The north side of the house has several windows facing north, where the back yard is. In this yard is where the dryer, feeder and other items were found.
While on the scene, a neighbor opened the clothes dryer and found “at least one dead bird and several dead squirrels.”
The house had been a duplex and the upstairs was its own apartment, officers were told by a building inspector.
Police then entered the unlocked house, went upstairs and encountered a locked door. On the door was a no hunting sign that said “Francis LaPointe.” No one answered the door. Officers also noticed “a box for a high powered pellet gun sitting in a common area” as well as pellets.
Police officers then left the property and contacted the DNR who said they would look into the matter the next day, on May 5, 2011.
Police continued to return to 316 5th Street NW that evening to try and talk to the inhabitants. They also tried to contact the property owner (at the time), Karen Hutzell. The house is now owned by Joseph Lapointe.
Finally, at 9:44 PM on May 4, 2011, police came back to the house and Francis LaPointe was home as well as a woman named “Karen.” Police did not get to speak with LaPointe, and Karen was “being difficult” according to an unsealed search warrant obtained by NorthIowaToday.com back in 2011.
The next day, on May 5th, police were able to ascertain that the house was no longer a duplex, but instead was a single family residence with one address.
Water and garbage services at the house were in the name of Francis Lapointe.
Police then obtained a search warrant for the property allowing them to look for weapons and ammunition. They found: bullet casings, spent rounds, pellets, a pellet gun, a Cross Men Quest in a box, a Ruger .22 handgun, a Remington 1100, targets and a squirrel feeder. The Iowa DNR seized 12 fox squirrels, 4 cotton tail rabbits, 1 crow and 1 pheasant. Police also spotted what appeared to be marijuana.
A second search warrant was then obtained allowing the authorities to search for illegal drugs or paraphernalia. They found: marijuana, a marijuana cigarette, a scale, bags and a pipe.
The Mason City Police Department never released any more information on the incident. The only information they released was in a brief media report, which stated “an officer responded after a complaint of a subject shooting animals inside the city limits. A search warrant was conducted with the assistance of the DNR and a subject was cited for three conservation offenses.”
The Iowa DNR never responded to questions from NIT back in 2011.
Lapointe ended up pleading guilty and paying fines for hunting out of season and no permit.
Court records show that after police seized the guns from Lapointe, he petitioned for their return and got them back in September of 2012.
In another matter, and after several hours of heavy drinking, Joey left a party with his girlfriend Ramona and went to Joey’s home. After arriving at Joey’s home, Ramona found a match book cover with a woman’s phone number written inside. The discovery led to an argument during which time Joey struck Ramona in the stomach and the face.
Subsequently, a criminal complaint charging aggravated assault and false imprisonment was filed against Joey. When Joey learned the matter was going before the grand jury, he provided Ramona with a two-page document laying out the testimony he wanted her to give, most of which he knew was false. After Ramona’s testimony, the grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Joey,
Subsequently, a trial court found Joey guilty of assault causing bodily injury and tampering with a witness. Joey was sentenced to thirty days in jail.
As a consequence of his misconduct, the Patron Saints for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board punished Joey by gifting him with a complimentary 90-day suspension of his law license.
Joey’s 2nd bite at the Attorney Misfit Apple Tree
•Exceeded the scope of his representation of client
•Failed to maintain adequate communications with client
•Engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice
As a consequence of his misconduct, the cheerleaders for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board punished Joey by gifting him with a complimentary reprimand.
As we speak (ca. July 2013), Joey practices in the Mason City, Iowa area.
I was this young man’s neighbor as well and know about the squirrels. They were chewing up his mother’s eaves. He was a teenager when he did this, and he was always kind and friendly to me.
All due respect, he is 25 years old now, and this story began 4 years ago. I’m no mathematician, but 25 minus 4 equals 21. Thanks for your perspective.
The nut doesn’t fall very far from the tree here. Yes the mother is a crazy and dad is a freak. Just Google and find out what dad did to mother years ago and why he lost his license to practice law for years. I feel for his young students.
Karen Hutzell is a serious nut case. I know this for a fact. Just ask the cops in town. I would never want her, or her son, teaching my kids. It appears that Francis is luring squirrels by putting corn out. Then he shoots them. Really nice guy, don’t you think?
i went to school with him. he was ok guy kinda weird. dont think id want him teaching my kid tho
Karen Hutzell is his mother , Joe Lapionte his his Dad , Karen also has a teaching degree , wouldn’t want any of my family learning from either one .
The reason all this commotion “went under the radar” to begin with is because his father is an area lawyer…
I just can’t believe the disregard mason city or as a matter of fact the whole state of iowa has when it comes to animals. Disgusting. I know for a fact that some of our police officers and deputies have children who attend clear lake schools. How do you feel about this type of person being around your kids?
If I’m not mistaken, Karen Hutzell is either his mother or stepmother. This is a story that SHOULD be followed up on. This is not the role model I would want teaching my kids. I mean, seriously? I would be really offended that this would be my child’s instructor out of the sea of available, mentally well-balanced teachers eager to help mold children’s minds.
Just a question, what does his mother have to do with this story? Why bring her name up?
So why follow up the story? To tell us he has a paying job? I can’t see that he has caused any trouble to revive all of this. I don’t know anyone in this article but it seems to me like someone just trying to stir up trouble. Let sleeping dogs lie. Unless there is something we don’t know about that we should.
Having a history of harming small animals, especially pets, for fun is NOT a desirable trait in a profession that should show empathy. It fits the profile often found in serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer, who started out killing cats. I’m not saying this guy is that sick, but it is worrisome. The FBI is actually going to start keeping track of people who are convicted of abusing animals starting in January because they fit the profile of people who later become dangerous to people.
I have been killing the rodents that invade my house for years…. does that make me bad?
I qualified my statement about killing animals with FOR FUN. He allegedly killed domesticated animals like cats, which were likely someone’s pets. That is sick.
Why follow up? Because it came to my attention this guy is a teacher. That’s why. I found it interesting that he is now a teacher and was involved in activities as described in this story… and I was certain NIT readers would too. Someone asked me the other day when I was going to bring this to the attention of the school district, or Anita Micich. The answer is, I did, when I wrote the story. If parents and the district are OK with Francis teaching, then that’s their prerogative. No way would I want Francis teaching my kids, which I told him when he gave me a nasty phone call. I’m not going any further with questioning them at this time, even though I easily could make a very big deal out of this by attending a school board meeting and simply requesting to address the board and reading the story. However, if Francis wants to play games with me and lurk on my personal life, let the games begin. You know very well what I speak of, Francis; I readily assume you are reading this. When’s the next school board meeting?