In Iowa County District Court

MARENGO — Layne Michael Geerdes, 21, of Guernsey, was charged March 15 in Iowa County District Court with driving while his license was barred.

Iowa State Patrol stopped Geerdes for speeding March 15 at 1:12 p.m. in the eastbound lane of Interstate 80 near mile marker 12. Geerdes identified himself as Colter Stein, according to a court document filed by the State Patrol.

The photo on the driver’s license didn’t look like the driver, the document says, and Geerdes admitted that he was using someone else’s license.

Stein is barred from driving from June 7, 2023 through June 5, 2026 for being a habitual offender, according to State Patrol.

Geerdes was also charged with driving while his license was suspended, providing a false ID and speeding. Geerdes pleaded not guilty. A non-jury trial is set for July 15 at 9:30 a.m.

Justen Mark Linker, 35, of Clinton, was charged March 18 with burglary in the third degree, a Class D felony, after entering the Iowa Interstate maintenance building at 2953 Highway 6 Trail in South Amana March 18 about 4:20 a.m.

According to the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department, Linker entered the cab of locomotive engine #519 and started the engine start-up cycle. Railroad personnel had to perform an emergency fuel shut-off to stop the cycle, court documents say.

Linker was held on $5,000 bond. He was also charged with railroad vandalism in the 7th degree for breaking a blue railroad track marker light, theft in the 5th degree for being in possession of the blue marker light and interference with official acts for refusing orders by officers to get out of the cab of the locomotive.

A preliminary hearing is set for March 28 for the burglary charge.

Linker pleaded not guilty to the other charges. A non-jury trial is set for Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m.

John Robert George, 51, of Marengo, was charged March 15 with violation of a protective order. Marengo police arrested George March 15 at 4:53 p.m. at 177 E. Hilton.