MASON CITY — A Mason City woman was arrested at the courthouse after police accused her of a felony crime of trying to influence what a witness might say in an ongoing court case.
Mackenzie Marie Price, 31, was arrested August 14, 2026, and booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail at 10:07 a.m. on a charge of tampering with a witness, a Class D felony.
According to Mason City Police Chief Mike McKelvey, investigators allege that on or about August 4, Price spoke with a witness involved in a pending court matter that he did not describe.
Police allege Price (pictured at top) contacted the witness with the intent to influence or alter what that person might say during an upcoming court hearing.
Investigators sought an arrest warrant after looking into the alleged contact. McKelvey said the warrant was approved on or about August 13.
Price was then arrested at the courthouse on August 14.
Court records show Price is charged under Iowa Code section 720.4(2)(a) with one count of tampering with a witness, a Class D felony.
An arrest warrant issued in the case carried $5,000 cash or surety bond.
Price later posted a surety bond.
Prosecutors filed trial information and minutes of testimony on August 21, formally moving the felony case forward in Cerro Gordo County District Court.
Price entered a written plea of not guilty on August 27.
Court records show attorney Jesse Michael Marzen is representing Price after the public defender was permitted to withdraw from the case.
A pretrial conference is scheduled for November 2, with a jury trial currently set for November 17.
The allegation remains unresolved, and no disposition has been entered in the case.
Price is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.