County Attorney calls for longer sentences

WASHINGTON — Washington County Attorney John Gish has called for reforms to lengthen actual prison sentences for convicted criminals, in light of recently announced terms for two people convicted in Washington County.

Rocio Gutierrez, of Washington, was found guilty in May of first degree burglary, second degree criminal mischief, and a third or subsequent offense of domestic abuse assault. At sentencing on Sept. 2, Gutierrez was sentenced to prison for up to 25 years.

In April, Shad Null, of Brighton, was convicted of two counts of delivering of methamphetamine and was placed on probation. On Sept. 2, that probation was revoked and Null was sentenced to prison for up to 10 years.

Both were unlikely to serve those terms in their entirety, according to the County Attorney’s Office.

“Based on the most recent data from the Iowa Board of Parole on true prison sentences, the average actual prison sentence of Burglary in the First Degree is 42 months,” a news release from Gish’s office said. “Based on data from the Iowa Board of Parole, Null will likely serve about just 1 year in prison.”

In that news release, Gish called for reforms to lengthen functional prison sentences.

“In Iowa, getting a defendant sent to prison is tough to do,” he said. “Even when my office is successful in arguing for prison, the length of the sentence is very misleading. Crime is rising statewide, and I do not think letting violent offenders and drug dealers serve 5-10% of a prison sentence is helping. I hope to work with local legislators in pursuit of improvement.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com