PALO ALTO COUNTY – A Northern Iowa man needed more booze, and his rage overwhelmed him as he allegedly choked a child and a woman in a ditch, police say.
On Friday, June 3, 2022, at 8:30 p.m., the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a disturbance in the 3600 block of 380th avenue. A Palo Alto County Deputy was arriving at the scene simultaneously when the Communications Center received the 911 call. After investigation into the incident, it was determined 38-year-old Thomas James Moore of Laurens, Iowa, was upset as he wanted to stop at a nearby convenience store and acquire more alcohol. Moore would throw a small amount of alcohol and alcohol container at the driver of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle stopped the vehicle and Moore exited in an attempt to assault the female driver. Moore’s 12-year-old son exited the vehicle and tried to stop Moore. Moore would assault the 12-year-old boy by choking him. The female driver of the vehicle exited the vehicle and got Moore away from the son. The 12-year-old and his 13-year-old brother obtained a cell phone and began to run north away from the scene calling 911. As the Palo Alto County Deputy Arrived on scene, Moore was observed in the west ditch on top of a female choking her.
As a result of Moore’s actions, he was placed under arrest for domestic abuse assault impeding air flow, a class D felony, and child endangerment causing bodily injury, a class D felony.
Moore was transported to the Palo Alto County Jail where he was processed and then transported to the Kossuth County Jail to await an initial appearance in front of a judge.
The female victim and juvenile declined medical attention at the scene. Assisting the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office at the scene was the Emmetsburg Police Department.
