In Iowa County District Court

MARENGO — Cole Allen Wells, 22, of Indianola, was charged March 19 in Iowa County District Court with control of a firearm by a felon, a Class D felony, and with assault while displaying a dangerous weapon.

According to court documents, State Patrol Officer Chad Hollingsworth was patrolling Interstate 80 in Poweshiek County when he was directed about 6:40 p.m. March 25 to watch for a specific vehicle. The driver had reportedly pointed a firearm three times at another driver while westbound on I-80 in Iowa County — east of exit 225, at exit 225 and near exit 211.

Hollingsworth was assisted by Poweshiek County Deputy Jon Cheney and Deputy Nate Anderson.

At about 6:49 p.m., Hollingsworth stopped a black Dodge Dart on off-ramp exit 197 and found a pistol — a Shadow Systems XR920 9 mm — in a compartment on the passenger side of the front seat. The officer also found three loaded magazines containing 51 rounds.

Wells told the officer that the white SUV driven by Anna Birkenholtz, of Pella, had displayed a pistol. Wells said that he held the pistol in his right hand on the top of the steering wheel to show the driver of the SUV that he also had a pistol, court documents say.

Wells also admitted that he waved the pistol in the air, according to court documents.

Birkenholtz told officers that she had merged left to pass a vehicle stopped on the shoulder. Wells was behind her and pointed a gun at the back window of her vehicle and on two occasions held the weapon outside the car window.

No weapon was found in the Birkenholtz vehicle, according to State Patrol. Wells was arrested and taken to Iowa County Jail. He has a prior conviction for eluding from May 7, 2024, in Wisconsin.

Carolyn Jean Wolfer, 69, of North English, was charged March 21 with driving while her license is denied, suspended, canceled or revoked. Wolfer was arrested by the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department about 3:49 p.m. March 17 at Main and Oak Streets.