WEST DES MOINES – An Iowa man was arrested after allegedly making a false report to police about dumping a body in a pond.
On October 11th, 2022, at approximately 8:00am, the West Des Moines Police Department was dispatched to 1831 Fuller Road on reports of an individual claiming to have caused the death of another person. Police were given information that a homicide had taken place and a body was disposed of in the city pond behind the West Des Moines Public Library. West Des Moines Police Detectives initiated an investigation into the report to verify the legitimacy of the information.
During the investigation, West Des Moines Police Detectives were assisted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and West Des Moines Fire & EMS by conducting a manual and underwater sonar search of the pond. After the search had concluded, no evidence was located indicating a deceased person was in the water.
After conducting a detailed investigation into all aspects of the alleged death report, West Des Moines Police Detectives arrested Mason Keifer, 36, of West Des Moines for Harassment 3rd Degree. Detectives determined this crime to be a fictitious report, and no evidence was discovered to indicate a death had occurred.
The West Des Moines Police Department was assisted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, West Des Moines Fire/EMS, and the Clive Police Department.