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Dustin Jefferson trial is reset By John Speer Central Iowa Press jspeer @tamatoledonews.com

Trial for Dustin Jerome Jefferson, 41, was reset to March 27, 2017, by Tama County District Court Judge Paul D, Miller on Sept. 15. Jefferson faces five counts of 3rd degree sexual abuse in charges filed on Oct. 9, 2013, by Meskwaki Nation Tribal Police. He was accused of committing sex acts with a then 12-year-old girl from May to July, 2013. Jefferson already is serving a life term in prison after being convicted of aiding and abetting in the murder of his wife Kerri Lea O’Clair Jefferson which occurred on Sept. 25, 2103, at a residence in Tama. His mother, Ginger Lea Jefferson, 60, also is serving a life term after being convicted of 1st degree murder in the case. Dustin Jefferson filed an appeal of his aiding and abetting murder conviction on June 1. He was found guilty on Feb. 9 by a Jasper County Jury. His trial had been moved to Jasper County on a change of venue form Tama County. Also before Judge Miller in Tama County District Court in Toledo: Kevin Jacob Carlton, 36, Montour, was sentenced to prison terms of two years for child endangerment and one year for possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine. The sentences are to run concurrently. Fines, law enforcement initiative surcharge and court costs totaling $936 were suspended. Carlton was charged on Oct. 7 2015, after a search warrant was executed at a residence in the 100 block of Broad Street, Montour. According to court records, suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found which was in reach of 14 and 12-year-old children living there. The charges were field by Tama County Sheriff’s Detective Bruce Rhoads. Tedrick Eugene Elmendorf, 61, Toledo, pleaded guilty to 1st offense drunken driving. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail with all but two suspended, directed to complete a 12-hour drinking driver’s program fined and assessed court costs totaling $1,798. Of the amount, $625 may be suspended if proof of an ignition interlock device installed on his vehicle is provided to the court. Elmendorf was charged on June 6 in the 3000 block of K Avenue by Tama County Deputy Sheriff Casey Schmidt.