Convictions on charges of 3rd degree theft and 3rd degree burglary by a Tama District Court Jury has been upheld by the Iowa Court of Appeals in a decision announced last week. Kacey Jo Hicklin claimed in her appeal there was insufficient evidence to support the convictions. Hicklin, 40, Toledo, was sentenced on March 6, 2014, to concurrent terms of two years in prison following the September, 2013, verdicts, by Judge Ian K. Thornhill. Hicklin was charged on June 5, 2013, with entering a motor vehicle parked at the Meskwaki Clinic, rural Tama, and taking $100, a driver’s license and Social Security card all belonging to another. Hicklin was employed as a nurse and supervisor at the clinic at the time according to the court records. The charges were filed by Meskwaki Nation Tribal Police Officer Brian Shimon. The Appeals Court found video surveillance tape showed Hicklin entering the office of the vehicle owner and leaving with the keys to the vehicle. The video tape shows Hicklin reentering the victim’s office two minutes later. Hicklin said the evidence was insufficient because no one actually saw her take the victim’s wallet from the car. The court found the jury could have concluded beyond a reasonable doubt, based upon the video footage, Hicklin did commit the crimes.

Tama County District Court

Before Judge Stephen B. Jackson Jr. in Tama County District Court in Toledo:

Maggi Rae Walker-Morgan, 21, rural Tama, was sentenced to a suspended, five-year prison term and placed on probation to the Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services for three years. She was fined $750. She pleaded guilty to 3rd degree burlary. Other charges were dismissed. She was orignally accused in a Nov. 23, 2013, case with 1st degree burglary, two counts of willful injury, carrying weapons and assault while participating in a felony. Walker-Morgan was alleged in court records to be one of three women who entered a residence without permission to avenge an assault upon a friend on the Meskwaki Settlement. Two women were hit with wrenches during the incident, court records state.ß The orginal charges were filed by Meskwaki Nation Tribal Police. Chase Marcus Brown, 20, Tama, entered a written plea of guilty to a contempt of court charge. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail with credit for time already served and directed to complete a term at a halfway house. He will also remain on probation. Brown orginally entered an Alford Plea on March 20, 2014, to charges of willful injury resulting in bodily injury and assault on persons in certain occupations. An Alford Plea is not an admission of guilt but the defendant recognizes enough evidence exists to likely obtain a conviction in court. According to court records he was charged on Feb. 18, 2014, as the result of a domestic fight in which he allegedly hit a victim with steel crutches and other items. He was cited for assault on an officer for allegedly spitting in the officer’s face twice. The charges were filed by Meskwaki Nation Tribal Police Officer Michael German. DeontreNathaniel Butts, 21, rural Tama, received a deferred judgment on a charge of manufacture, deliver or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver methamphetamine. He ewas directed to pay a $1,00 civil penalty and was placed on probation for two years to the 6th Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. He was orginally charged on April 28, 2014, by Meskwaki Nation Tribal Police.