Polk County Attorney's Office

Santa is coming! Our staff provided gifts for 60 children through the Polk County Iowa Family Enrichment Center's Star program. Looking to help the center? See opportunities to volunteer and give here: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/community-family-youth-services/opportunities/

It's Cyber Monday! Make sure you are shopping through trusted sources & websites. 🛒🛍️

The holidays are a prime opportunity for scammers to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers.

More tips for safe shopping: cisa.gov/shop-safely

This study in the medical journal Pediatrics confirms an alarming statistic: Fi****ms are the leading cause of death for children and young adults in the U.S. and are the second leading cause of death for children and young adults in Polk County.

"Increases in firearm injuries across socioeconomic groups indicate that no child in the U.S. is immune to the growing risks of firearm violence," said Jennifer Hoffmann, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

What can we do?

>>Normalize the conversation about gun safety and safe gun storage practices. Talk to your family, friends, and parents/adults of places where your child spends time.

>>Reduce access to guns by using safe storage practices. This reduces the risk of both self-inflicted and accidental gun injuries.
PPolk County Health Department

Emergency room visits for kids with gun injuries doubled in the pandemic, study finds Fi****ms became the leading cause of death for kids one and older in the U.S. in 2020.

Drunken driving is costly -- for the offender, for any potential victims, and for society. In 2022, Polk County averaged almost five OWI charges a day. We're on a similar pace this year. Make the right choice.

Approximately 10% of the OWI arrests that DMPD officers make each year happen over the next 40 days.

The holidays are a festive time of year, but irresponsible choices can make this a dangerous time on our roadways. Last year, there were 7 traffic fatalities over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend; the highest in 10 years according to Iowa Department of Transportation preliminary data.

🔹Drive Sober.
🔹Buckle up.
🔹Don’t drive distracted.
🔹Slow down.

Stay safe, Des Moines!

We're grateful for law enforcement officers, judicial staff, victim services advocates, juvenile court professionals, probation officers, our employees, and everyone who helps make a safer, healthier, fairer Polk County for all residents. Thank you!

Our offices will be closed Thursday and Friday for the holiday.

Surfun Boens convicted of murdering roommate in Des Moines hotel A Des Moines man will now spend life in prison after murdering his roommate in their hotel room back in January.

Surfan Boens, 51, called 911 in the early morning of Jan. 13, 2023, saying that he had found his roommate unresponsive in their hotel room in the 4800 block of Fleur Drive. Responders found Russell Allen McKeehan Jr., 45, dead of gunshot wounds.

Boens convicted of first-degree murder for killing roommate - Polk County Iowa Surfan Boens, 51, called 911 in the early morning of Jan. 13, 2023, saying that he had found his roommate unresponsive in their hotel room in the 4800 block of Fleur Drive. Responders found Russell Allen McKeehan Jr., 45, dead of gunshot wounds.

Talk it Up, Lock it Up! Let’s make Polk County safer for everyone.

If you see buildings illuminated in green light this Friday and Saturday, it’s to raise awareness of preventable child injuries in our community.

Help prevent gun-related injuries by making sure your firearm is stored locked and unloaded, with the ammunition stored separately. Safe gun storage has been proven to help reduce gun-related injuries.

Pick up a free gun trigger lock near you! https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/health-department/gun-safety/pick-up-a-free-gun-lock/

Gun Safety Saves Lives. Talk it Up, Lock it Up.

The jury deliberated for about two hours before convicting Andrew Jerome Harris, 44, of first-degree murder in the shooting of Tyrell Grimes.

Jury convicts Harris of first-degree murder in Drake area shooting - Polk County Iowa A Polk County jury convicted a Des Moines man of first-degree murder Friday in the shooting of Tyrell Lavell Grimes last year.

Stop by our booth at the Iowa Refugee Summit, organized by the Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa.

Join us Wednesday, November 15th, from 8:00am - 5:00pm at Olmsted Center at Drake University in Des Moines. This event is open to the public, all are welcome.
General admission tickets are $50
This year’s summit will offer community partners tools and resources to better serve the increase in arrivals of refugees and immigrants coming to Iowa from around the world.
Workshops focusing on the following areas will be offered:
Refugee Resettlement Services
Health/Mental Health
K-12 and Adult Education
Legal/Advocacy
Employment/Community Development
Supporting Ethnic Community Based Organizations
A light breakfast as well as lunch will be provided.
For more information visit:
https://www.refugeeallianceofcentraliowa.org/refugee-summit

We are participating in this year’s National Injury Prevention Day. On Saturday, November 18th, Polk County Courthouse, along with other buildings across Polk County, Iowa, and the nation, will be illuminated in green light to raise awareness about gun injuries and other preventable child injuries in the community.

Help prevent gun-related injuries by talking to your friends and family about safe gun storage. Gun Safety Saves Lives. Talk it Up, Lock it Up.

Learn more about gun safety on our website: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/health-department/gun-safety/

We honor America's veterans for their service and sacrifice for the common good. Thank you! Freedom isn't free, but this lunch is.

Join us on Friday, November 10 at 11am for a very special Veterans Day celebration ceremony. We will proudly be honoring our Veterans, offer a free box lunch, live music, military displays, remarks from military personnel and more in the Meadows Events Center. 🇺🇸

Our office is working with the medical community to keep kids safe. Members of a metro child neglect work group presented at the Unity Point 2023 Pediatric Nursing Conference this week.

Meggan Guns, assistant Polk County attorney; Roxanne Riesberg, Child Protection Policy program manager for DHHS; Kate Simmons, mental health therapist at Blank Children's Hospital STAR Center; and Katie Scott, nurse practitioner at the STAR Center; spoke to conference attendees about recognizing the complexities of child neglect; understanding neglect in relation to the Iowa Code; the impact of neglect on mental health and development; learning how to identify neglect in a medical setting, and understanding how to report and what happens after that neglect is reported.

The work group began meeting in 2021 with a goal of working across specialty areas to educate front-line workers to identify and allow for early intervention in cases of child neglect. The team consists of members from around the metro representing law enforcement, prosecution, health and human services, pediatric mental health, pediatric nursing/medical care, and forensic interviewers.

We’re proud to support the Iowa Summit on Justice & Disparities. County Attorney Graham told attendees how our office works to eliminate disparities and make Polk County a safer, fairer place. For example, we have reduced the financial barriers for people to get back their driver’s licenses (and potentially avoid driving-while-barred charges). We’re also reinvigorating our Restorative Justice Center to improve diversion programs and victim-offender dialogues. “When we have more equity in our justice system, we are going to have a healthier, safer community,” Graham said.

“The killing of an innocent person will haunt you. You are such a young person, as Dok was. This will affect your mom, dad, and family,” the victim's father, Nyok Dok, told the defendant. “I forgive you.”

Des Moines man receives 45 years in prison for manslaughter, robberies - Polk County Iowa A Des Moines man was sentenced Thursday to 45 years in prison for his crimes, including the shooting death of Dok Nyok Akol Dok.

Keith Jones and another man, Robert Lee Miller III, were drinking at the Wicked Rabbit at 1101 Army Post Road on Dec. 13, 2022, according to evidence and testimony in the case. Mr. Jones had six shots and two mixed drinks at the bar in two hours and 20 minutes, surveillance video showed. The two left separately from the bar, driving west on Army Post and then north on Fleur Drive. Several witnesses testified seeing both vehicles speeding and driving erratically while racing each other.

Des Moines man convicted of vehicular homicide in child’s death - Polk County Iowa A Des Moines man was convicted of vehicular homicide and other charges related to a drag-racing crash that killed a 4-year-old boy in December 2022.

Evidence in this case included video and audio recordings made by Ericka Rankins showing her torturing the child through physical and psychological abuse.

Des Moines woman receives up to 32 years in prison related to child’s death - Polk County Iowa A Des Moines woman was sentenced up to 32 years in prison for the repeated neglect of her 5-year-old son, actions that contributed to his death.

See you there for discussions on reforming the criminal justice system, eliminating racial profiling, meeting the needs of victims, and more.

Come be a part of the needed change to Iowa's Justice System at the Iowa Summit on Justice & Disparities November 3rd at the FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny Iowa.
Standard Registration Pricing ends October 31.
**Register today at IowaJusticeSummit.org**

Halloween is fast approaching!

Make a plan before it's time to trick-or-treat. Find a safe route and make sure you have ways to be visible. Contact neighborhood friends and plan to go door-to-door in a group.

Are you passionate about creating equitable outcomes? If yes, join City of Des Moines - Government's FREE 2023 Civil & Human Rights Symposium: Level Up for Justice: Press Start.

They have organized three symposium tracks based on:

Process Your Power: Women's Rights,
Dynamics of Disability Rights,
Voices from our Youth: LGBTQ+ and Refugee and Immigrant Youth Voices

Additionally, there will be two panel discussions facilitated by members of the City of Des Moines Youth Advisory Board centered around the importance of youth mentorship and environmental justice/climate action.

The 2023 symposium will take place at Drake University Olmsted Center on Friday, October 27 from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

To learn more and register: https://www.dsm.city/departments/civil_and_human_rights/human_rights_symposium.php

Reporting hate crimes not only helps victims, but also sends a clear message that the community will not tolerate these kinds of crimes.

United Against Hate is a U.S. Department of Justice initiative that aims to improve the identification and reporting of hate crimes by providing education and resources to community members. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa office is holding a United Against Hate panel discussion on October 19 at Polk County River Place, 2309 Euclid Avenue. Panelists will include local and federal law enforcement officials and victim advocates (including from Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Services). The event will discuss how to report hate crimes and how such reports are investigated.

To report a hate crime, go here: https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/report-a-hate-crime

It’s that time of year again... no, not spooky season. The DEA Drug Take Back at your West Des Moines Police Department!

Twice a year, we partner with the DEA to collect unused or expired prescription medication for safe disposal. Prescription drug abuse and misuse affects millions of Americans each year.

Simply drive to the West Des Moines Police Department (250 Mills Civic Pkwy) parking lot on October 28th from 10am to 2pm and turn over your unneeded medication. We will safely dispose of them and together we can reduce the abuse of prescription medication.

Eva Morales is the daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico. She's also an assistant Polk County attorney and a member of the National Hispanic Bar Association's Latina Leadership Academy.

As the oldest of three children, she always wanted to make her parents proud.

“You do feel a sense of urgency and obligation to do something and make something out of your parents' sacrifices … I think that’s something that’s maybe pretty common among firstborn first-generation Latinos,” Morales said. https://www.kcci.com/article/latina-polk-county-attorney-receives-honors-from-hispanic-bar-association/45444702 #

Latina Polk County attorney receives honors from Hispanic Bar Association Assistant Polk County Attorney Eva Morales laughs as she shares what inspired her to pursue law, saying, “Honestly, it just came from watching a lot of Law and Order, that’s the truth. There was this prosecutor, Alexandra Cabot, and I wanted to be like her. She wore these power suits and she was...

Assistant County Attorney Eva Morales offers this advice to young Latinas: "Claim your self-worth early. You are in the room because you deserve to be in that room, whether it is a classroom, boardroom, or the courtroom."

Eva sat down with Cinthia Naranjo at WHO 13 News as part of Hispanic Heritage Month to discuss her journey and her job, including being chosen for the Latina Leadership Academy. Eva grew up in Storm Lake, the daughter of meatpacking workers from Mexico.

There are so few Latina attorneys nationally, "we're considered statistically insignificant," Morales said.

Assistant Polk County Attorney recognized by National Hispanic Bar Association DES MOINES, Iowa — Assistant Polk County Attorney Eva Morales was recognized by the National Hispanic Bar Association in September. According to the Polk County website, Morales has worked at…

Prosecuting crimes can take its toll, and our staff can experience secondary trauma through the work we do. We focus on our mental and emotional health in several ways. Sometimes, a good laugh makes all the difference. Gus, a certified therapy dog at Dog Training Elite Des Moines, visited during a lunch break this week. He’s a great listener!

This article provides a poignant example of how restorative justice can bring both healing and accountability. In Polk County, we're improving and our expanding Victim-Offender Dialogues and other programs in our Restorative Justice Center.

"... in communities around the country, people are working to build new strategies for responding to harm focused on safety, healing, and accountability. There are opportunities to create dialogue centered in community, without any system involvement, and others that create off-ramps for people embroiled in the justice system, all while centering — not forgetting — the victims of crime in the process."

The criminal justice system is broken. Restorative justice can help fill the gap. Inside a movement that aims to bring accountability and healing to the justice system.

Our office saw domestic violence cases increase more than 11% in the last fiscal year. Thanks to these groups working to prevent these crimes. Let's make Polk County a safer, healthier place to live for everyone. Mark your calendars for events commemorating Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Think about how many cars, pedestrians, cyclists, or animals you could encounter in the length of a FOOTBALL field!! Eyes Up. Just Drive.
Impact Teen Drivers, End Distracted Driving, ACEDD - American Coalition to End Distracted Driving

With rights come responsibilities. Keep our kids safe!

Storing guns locked and unloaded can help prevent gun-related injuries. If you need a gun lock, the health department and partner agencies have FREE trigger locks available for pick-up.

Visit the health department’s website to see a map of locations: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/health-department/gun-safety/pick-up-a-free-gun-lock/

Trishay Marsean Thompson, 24, of Des Moines, was found Jan. 9, 2022, with gunshot wounds in his car at an apartment complex in the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. He died Jan. 27 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines. Mr. Thompson’s death was the first homicide of 2022.

Des Moines man convicted of murder in first homicide of 2022 - Polk County Iowa A Polk County jury convicted Salifou Sahr, 23, of first-degree murder and other charges on Friday in the killing of a Des Moines man in January 2022.

This is Polk County's Injury Prevention Week, a great time to talk about preventing gun-related injuries. Ensure all of your fi****ms are stored locked and unloaded.

How do you keep your kids safe when they're at the homes of friends and family? Talk about it! Check the images below.

And visit Polk County Health Department’s website to learn more about gun safety: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/health-department/gun-safety/

An average of 10 children and young adult ages 1 to 24 years die every year of firearm-related injuries in Polk County.

Help prevent gun-related deaths by talking to your friends and family about safe gun storage. We need help from our community to normalize this conversation.

To learn more, visit our website: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/health-department/gun-safety/

Gun Safety Saves Lives. Talk it Up. Lock it Up.

Randi Light and the defendant had been in a relationship for two years and lived together at the time of this brutal murder. If you are a victim of domestic violence, please reach out for help. Read more for a list of resources:

Judge convicts Des Moines man for murdering Randi Light - Polk County Iowa Polk County District Judge Heather Lauber found Clarence Edward Reed Jr. guilty of first-degree murder of Randi Light on Friday.

September 17-23 is observed as Child Passenger Safety Week.

According to NHTSA, Child Passenger Safety Technicians have found that while most parents and caregivers believe they know how to properly install their car seats, about half (46%) have installed their child’s car seat incorrectly.

Don’t be overconfident: Getting your car seat installation checked is quick, free, and an important way to have peace of mind about your child’s safety. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has CPSTs on-site ready to assist.

To make an appointment, contact the Community Relations Division at 515-286-3015 or [email protected].

We are back for the 8th year in a row.