Audubon County Sheriff's Department

10/22/2026

10-22-2026

PRESS RELEASE

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jacob Sweeney, age 33 of Audubon, on June 1st, on a Driving While Barred warrant. He appeared before the magistrate and was held until he later posted bond on June 5th.
Laurie Christensen, age 21 of Exira, was arrested in the early morning of June 28th on a charge of Public Intoxication. He was released on his own recognizance later that afternoon.
Jacob Sweeney, age 33, of Audubon, was arrested on July 16th on a Driving While Barred charge. He appeared before the magistrate and was held until he posted bond the following day.
Zachary Thompson, age 29, of Exira, was arrested on August 3rd on a charge of Disorderly Conduct. He appeared before the magistrate and was released on his own recognizance.
Stephanie Nissen, age 55, of Audubon, was arrested on August 7th, on a Domestic Abuse Assault warrant. She appeared before the magistrate and was held until she posted bond the following day.
Brett Nissen, age 58, of Audubon, was arrested on August 11th on a Domestic Abuse Assault warrant. He appeared before the magistrate and was held until he posted bond the following day.
Alvin Williams, age 42, was arrested on August 13th, on a Operating While Under the Influence-1st charge. He was released on his own recognizance.
Duane Ownbey, age 41, of Exira, was arrested on August 23rd, on a Failure to Appear warrant He appeared before the magistrate and was held until he completed his required jail sentence.
Erik Pedersen, age 54 of Exira, was arrested on August 25th, on a Financial Exploitation of an Older Individual warrant. He appeared before the magistrate and was held until he posted bond on September 1st.
Zachary Price, age 32 of Exira, was arrested on August 27th on two counts of Domestic Abuse Assault- 3rd or Subsequent, one count of Dominion/Control of a Fi***rm by Domestic Abuse Offender, three counts of Assault with Intent to Inflict Serious Injury and three counts of Child Endangerment. He appeared before the magistrate and is currently being held in jail.
Stephanie Nissen, age 55, of Audubon, was arrested on September 4th, on a Violation of No Contact Order charge. She appeared before the magistrate and was held until she posted bond the following day.
Stephanie Nissen, age 55, of Audubon, was arrested on September 15th, on a Violation of No Contact Order warrant. She appeared before the magistrate and was held until she posted bond the following day.

Sheriff Todd W. Johnson

Note: Criminal Charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Send a message to learn more

10/22/2026

If you recognize this dog, please call the Sheriff’s Office at 712-563-2631.

10/20/2026

This Saturday, October 24th from 10-2, bring your medications to the Sheriff's Office for disposal.

09/29/2026

We have seen a large increase in fraud victims in our community and strongly encourage people to attend this presentation.

07/17/2026

We are just a few days away from welcoming RAGBRAI to Exira! We understand the impact an event of this size will have on our small town. Please respect all signage and instructions from Iowa State Patrol, Audubon County Sheriff's Department, and all volunteers.

On Monday July 20th the following Roads will be closed to vehicle traffic:
-Washington from Carthage to Edgerton
-Carthage and Jefferson Street from Main to Harrison
-Kilworth from Main to Event Center Alley
-Main from Jefferson to Kilworth

Due to support vehicle traffic, there will be no parking on either side of South Street on Monday July 20th.

In addition, Washington and parts of the side streets listed above will be closed or partially closed for set-up on Sunday July 19th.

We appreciate everyone's cooperation and patience!

06/26/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE – S*X OFFENDER REGISTRY

Effective July 1st, 2026

All required individuals must report IN PERSON within 3 business days of any change.

Failure to report may result in criminal charges.

06/16/2026

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for a Deputy Sheriff position.
Applications will be accepted until June 30th at noon.
Applications are available in the following ways:
*By using the link below
*In the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office at 318 Leroy St. Audubon, IA 50025
*By requesting an application via email at [email protected]

Audubon County is an EOE

06/05/2026

6-5-2026

PRESS RELEASE- May Arrests

Jacob Sweeney, age 33 of Audubon, was arrested on May 3rd on Driving While Barred, Domestic Abuse Assault, Disorderly Conduct and Reckless Driving charges. He appeared before the magistrate and was held until he later posted bond.

Zachary Vesper, age 31 of Audubon, was arrested on May 5th on Controlled Substance Violation, Keeping Premises for Controlled Substance Violation, Possession of Controlled Substance- Ma*****na 1st, Theft 4th, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Interference with Official Acts, and Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug charges. He appeared before the magistrate and was held until he later posted bond.

Tauna Garnes, age 61 of Audubon, was arrested on May 5th, on charges of Failure to Affix Drug Stamp, Controlled Substance Violation, Keeping Premises for Controlled Substance Violation, Sale of Consumable H**p Product, Sell or Market Device of To***co, H**p, Controlled Substance without a Permit- 1st violation, Sale of Consumable H**p Product- Failure to Register, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She appeared before the magistrate and was held until she later posted bond.

Gary Smouse, age 71 of Exira, was arrested on May 12th on an outstanding warrant for OWI-2nd, Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Reckless Driving. The charges stem from an incident in Exira on May 5th. He appeared before the magistrate and was released on his own recognizance.

A 17-year-old juvenile was charged with OWI-1st and Possession of Alcohol by Persons under the Age of 18 on May 22nd. He was released to an adult. He will appear in Juvenile Court at a later date.

Jarrett Meaike, age 26 of Audubon, was arrested on May 23rd on an OWI-1st charge. He posted bond and was released. He appeared before the magistrate the following week.

Duane Ownbey, age 41 of Exira, was arrested on May 26th on an outstanding warrant for Assault Causing Bodily Injury and Harassment 3rd. The charges stem from an incident in Exira on May 13th. He appeared before the magistrate and was held until he later posted bond.

Am Mariano, age 22 of Audubon, was arrested on May 30th by the Audubon Police Department. While in jail he was also charged with Criminal Mischief 5th. He was released on his own recognizance and appeared before the magistrate the following week.

Sheriff Todd W. Johnson

Note: Criminal Charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Send a message to learn more

06/05/2026

6-5-2026

PRESS RELEASE- April Arrest Report

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Rex Beaman, age 31 of Menlo, on a failure to appear warrant on April 4th. His warrant stemmed from S*x Offender registry violations that were filed in October of 2025. He posted bond and was released.

Robert Joens, age 33 of Exira, was arrested on April 9th. He was arrested on a Violation of Parole warrant for another Jurisdiction. In the process of the arrest, he was also charged with Interference with Official Acts and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He pled guilty on his local charges and held until he was transferred to another facility.

Trent Lynch, age 54 of Sac City, was arrested on April 14th on a Violation of Probation warrant. He appeared before the magistrate and was held until he later posted bond.

Preston White, age 18 of Kimballton, was arrested on April 21st, on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault. The charge stems from an incident in Kimballton. He appeared before the magistrate and was released on his own recognizance.

Samuel Giermann, age 32 of Carroll, was arrested on a Failure to Appear warrant on April 3oth. His warrant stems from OWI-2nd and Driving While Barred charges that were filed in August of 2024. He appeared before the magistrate and was held until he later posted bond.

Sheriff Todd W. Johnson

Note: Criminal Charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Send a message to learn more

05/31/2026

HARLAN, Iowa - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are issuing an Endangered Person Advisory.