Man charged with murder in Columbus Junction

COLUMBUS JUNCTION — Police in Columbus Junction have accused a man of murder in connection to a case earlier this summer where a body was dragged down a road behind a van.

In a press release from the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, police said Columbus Junction man Ilario Castaneda shot Noe Ibarra Tijerina — another man from the same town — after the two “were having a disagreement over a sum of money” on June 25.

Castaneda then allegedly tied Tijerina’s corpse to the back of a van, and drove it down a gravel road until crashing into a ditch, leading to an investigation. Police reported a grisly scene, including a “blood trail and drag marks” left on the road behind the car until it crashed. Tijerina’s body was found in the ditch across the road from the collision.

“During an interview with Castaneda, he would admit to being with Tijerina during the day, possessing a small firearm, keeping it in the van, and was in possession of the solo van key in his pocket,” the press release said. “During the execution of a search warrant a gray T-shirt, matching Castaneda’s clothing description from the witnesses, was found inside [a mechanic's shop near his home] with blood stains as well as on his shoes. A router tool located at the scene had a severed power cord and was consistent with the cord on Tijerina’s torso and hanging from the van bumper.”

Police said Castaneda was initially charged with abuse of a corpse, but was accused of murder Aug. 19 after Tijerina’s autopsy ruled his death a homicide.

The press release said Castaneda was in custody and said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had issued a detainer order for the man, directing the county to keep him in custody up to 48 hours after it would otherwise release him.

A public defender was appointed to Castaneda’s case Aug. 20, according to court records, which said he was held without bond.

The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office said it had assistance on the case from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, DCI Agents, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Columbus Junction Police Department, Iowa Attorney General’s Office, Louisa County Attorney’s Office, Columbus Junction Fire Department and the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com