INDIANOLA – Cops deployed a special response team to nab an Iowa couple who allegedly enticed a minor to their home, then committed sexual abuse.
At approximately 4:30 AM on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, the Indianola Police Department deployed the Special Response Team to execute a search warrant at a residence located in the 1600 block of West 3rd Avenue in Indianola. The activation of this operation follows an investigation that stems from a report in the alleged attempted sexual abuse of a minor.
As the search warrant was executed at the residence, one male suspect, Jason Witzke, 41, of Indianola, was quickly apprehended and taken into custody without incident. Witzke is being held at the Warren County Jail and has been charged with the following offenses:
• 706.3(1) — Conspiracy to Commit Forcible Felony (Class C Felony)
• 706.3(2) — Conspiracy to Commit a Felony (Class D Felony)
• 709.11(3) — Assault with Intent to Commit Sexual Abuse (Aggravated Misdemeanor)
• 124.401(5) — Possession of a Controlled Substance (Serious Misdemeanor)
• 124.401(5) — Possession of Marijuana, 2nd Offense (Serious Misdemeanor)
• 124.414 — Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple Misdemeanor)
Additionally, one female suspect, Valerie Cross, 39, of Creston, Iowa, was later located in Greenfield, Iowa, at approximately 7:40 AM on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. She was apprehended and taken into custody without incident. Cross is also being held at the Warren County Jail and has been charged with the following offenses:
• 706.3(1) — Conspiracy to Commit Forcible Felony (Class C Felony)
• 710.3(3) — Enticing a Minor (Class D Felony)
• 709.11(3) — Assault with Intent to Commit Sexual Abuse (Aggravated Misdemeanor)
• 726.6.(8) — Child Endangerment (Aggravated Misdemeanor)
Evidence indicates that both Witzke and Cross enticed a minor for the purpose of sexual contact to a residence in Indianola.
Police say this is still an ongoing investigation.
The Special Response Team, which was organized in 2023 and its operations officially launched in 2024, consists of law enforcement officials from the Indianola Police Department, Carlisle Police Department, Warren County Sheriff’s Office and Warren County Attorney’s Office.
The Indianola Police Department thanked the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s Cyber Crime Bureau, Greenfield Police Department, Creston Police Department, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the Blank Children’s STAR Center for their assistance in this case.