MASON CITY — An Iowa State Patrol encounter with an allegedly intoxicated and barred driver turned into a felony case after the motorist reportedly attempted to elude law enforcement while exceeding the speed limit by more than 25 mph.
Santito L. Lindsey, 48, was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, and booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail at 3:02 p.m.
Lindsey is charged in Cerro Gordo County case 02171 FECR035151 with:
• Class D felony eluding while exceeding the speed limit by more than 25 mph
• Aggravated misdemeanor driving while barred
• Aggravated misdemeanor second-offense operating while intoxicated
The Cerro Gordo County Jail also listed numerous traffic and related allegations against Lindsey, including failure to obey a stop sign and yield the right of way, illegally darkened windows, unsafe overtaking on the right, driving while his license was suspended, failure to provide proof of financial responsibility following an accident, speeding and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The arrest is the latest dangerous-driving case handled by the Iowa State Patrol in the area. NIT previously reported that another Northern Iowa driver with a felony-eluding conviction was nabbed for alleged drunk driving near Mason City.
Court records show Lindsey has a recent OWI conviction in Cerro Gordo County.
He pleaded guilty on March 25, 2025, to first-offense operating while intoxicated and first-offense marijuana possession stemming from a November 22, 2024, Iowa State Patrol case.
Judge Karen Salic sentenced Lindsey to two days in jail on each conviction and imposed a $1,250 fine for the OWI offense. Court filings later included a past-due payment notice, referral to county attorney collections, a notice of noncompliance and a notice to suspend.
Lindsey is now accused of committing his second OWI roughly 16 months after entering that guilty plea.
A second-offense OWI is an aggravated misdemeanor in Iowa carrying up to two years in jail. A conviction ordinarily requires at least seven days behind bars and a minimum $1,875 fine.
Driving while barred is also an aggravated misdemeanor carrying up to two years in jail. A Class D felony is generally punishable by up to five years in prison.
Lindsey (pictured at top) also has a separate unresolved criminal case pending in neighboring Floyd County. He pleaded not guilty in that matter and demanded a speedy trial, although court records now show a plea hearing scheduled for August 28, 2026. The charge involved in that case was not identified in the records reviewed for this story.
Lindsey made an initial appearance Wednesday, August 5, and was ordered held for bond. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for August 14 at 1:15 p.m.
The allegations against Lindsey have not been proven in court. He is presumed innocent unless convicted.