NORTHWOOD – NIT has confirmed that an investigation is underway into the alleged alcohol consumption by a Worth county deputy in the company of an underage person.
Worth county sheriff Dan Fank confirmed the investigation on Thursday, when asked about it. Worth County Deputy Chad Wurtzel is alleged to have consumed alcohol in the presence of an underage person at an Ankeny hotel. A concerned citizen forwarded a photo of the alleged incident to NIT. A portion of that photo is included with this story.
The tipster wrote: “This is a picture of Worth County Deputy Chad Wurtzel sipping a poolside Busch Light with his girlfriends 19 yr old brother at a hotel in Ankeny over the weekend. This pic was posted, then taken down from a Facebook page belonging to Alli Dingman.”
The alleged incident is known to some people in Worth county, and Sheriff Fank is following through to a resolution.
“Yes it is being looked in to and I will talk to county attorney when he is back from vacation next week,” Sheriff Fank told NIT.
“At this time he is on his scheduled days off,” Sheriff Fank continued. “We will also forward information to Ankeny Police Department since it occurred in thier jurisdiction if they wish to do any follow up.”
Iowa law states, “A person shall not sell, give, or otherwise supply alcoholic liquor, wine, or beer to any person knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that person to be under legal age. A person who is of legal age, other than a licensee or permittee, who sells, gives, or otherwise supplies alcoholic liquor, wine, or beer to a person who is under legal age in violation of this section commits a serious misdemeanor punishable by a minimum fine of five hundred dollars.
Persons under the age of 21 who are in possession of alcohol could be in violation of the PAULA law – Possession of Alcohol Under the Legal Age. A first offense is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $200.00 fine plus court costs and surcharge.
Buschhhhhhhhhh
They were drinking for “religious” purposes.
Otherwise I think someone has too much time on their hands to be worrying about stuff like this. Deputy drinking at a kegger with this kid and a bunch of other kids, yes I would be concerned. Relaxing by the pool at a hotel, more important things in life to be worried about.
You know you really have to ask, did the parents give the kid the beer and not the deputy? If so he didn’t break the law. He was obviously off duty and if the parents gave him the beer it is all good.
Marquardt is a sleeze merchant…… thats the scene he knows best.
Buschhhhhhhhhhhh
Wine at church
Looks to me that the kid is just holding the beer. I am sure that’s a grey area of the law. Mo picture of him with it to his mouth. FAKE NEWs again Marquardt. One more thing. Your a dumbass!
Marquardt was convicted of a Unruley House offense when he was this kids age. What a dick to try and screw up this kids life.
The boy is over 18 and the deputy is both off duty and out of his jurisdiction. Leave the guy alone and quit trying to create news. This site is as big of joke as it’s owner.
The 19 yr old is a top baseball recruit at NIACC. Wonder how they will handle this?!?!?
I wonder what the Deputy’s personnel file looks like? Does he have a pattern of making poor choices? Has he been written up or repremanded for other things? That would probably be the dictating factor in weather or not he should be relieved of his duties.
The law says knowingly supplies to a minor.
1.From that photo how do you know and can prove for 100% that the Deputy supplied the alcohol?
2.That is not his child or under his supervision or at his premises.
How would you handle as a citizen if an off duty officer attempted to charge you with an offense?
It’s interesting that a concerned citizen sent in this photo without any background knowledge of all the information. I am sure there is more to the story than what NorthIowaToday.com is posting. It would be nice to see a news source publish something with all the information before attempting rush to judgment on someone without all the facts.
Two sets of laws. One for the citizens and one for law enforcement.coos protect cops.
Seriously it doesn’t matter where the picture came from or from whom… the law is the law. All police take a oath to up hold all laws whether on or off duty. Family event or not it is still against the law…. we are not in Germany lol. It will be enteresting to see if the right thing is done 1. Underaged charged with drinking underat AND public consumption. 2. The office fired for not upholding his sworn oath on or off duty. All laws apply to everyone.
Big deal! Wow has this been blown way out of proportion. Sounds like it was a family event. Under those circumstances it’s okay to consume. My goodness! Germany doesn’t have an age limit. It’s expected to drink with family.
Meanwhile in worthless county the democrats that own/publish the northwood anchor/manly signal just printed an article of news sources – FOX is BAD ! – CNN/ABC/NBC GOOD GOOD – What a bunch of Pelosi brownshirt bullshit they are trying to spread – don’t forget the crumbs and please mow the grass along the border – We think they have just visited the new brewing company in Northwood or else the just took their daily dose of pain killers since hitlery the bitch lost – no fear Bernie the commie will be on the demopoop ticket also. GAAAAG !
Holy Cow I was sick for a second looking at the picture. Thank goodness I kept reading that is is girlfriends brother …. thank goodness. It’s better now .. not smart but better lol
Every time I come this an site it’s a eyesore – Bill Gates!.
Whoever took this picture and put it on social media, is a dumbass. I’m not saying what the deputy did is right, but it just shows how stupid people are. Looks like there might be an opening or two in the worth county sheriffs dept.
who cares