Christmas Day arrest made for theft

MT. PLEASANT — Henry County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported theft of a firearm and subsequently arrested a convicted felon with a bench warrant for parole violations over the weekend.

According to a news release from Henry County Sheriff’s Office, they received a report of a stolen firearm from a residence in the 2100 grid of Lexington Avenue the afternoon of Dec. 24.

“An investigation into the theft determined Levi Stevens, 25, had taken the firearm without the owner’s knowledge or permission,” the news release states.

Authorities located Stevens the following day, Dec. 25, and arrested him on charges of Theft in the Fourth Degree and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

At the time of the theft, a bench warrant for violation of probation was already in place for Stevens as of Thursday, Dec. 21.

According to court documents filed by Probation Officer Katie Detrick, Stevens was placed on probation following a conviction of Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class D felony, on Sept. 18.

This conviction led to Stevens loss of firearm rights.

“Levi is currently unemployed, is homeless, has recently relapsed and most recently has escaped the Burlington Residential Facility,” Detrick’s report of violation stated.

Stevens recently graduated from the Salvation Army River Valley Adult Rehabilitation Center, which he entered during court proceedings for burglary charges brought against him in January 2023, court documents state.

According to Detrick’s report of violation, Stevens failed to report for his scheduled appointment Dec. 15 at the Henry County Adult Probation and Parole Office, then tested positive for cocaine and admitted to drug use Dec. 19, before being placed on escape status.

The bench warrant for probation violation set Stevens’ bond at $25,000 cash only before charges were brought against him for the Dec. 24 reports of theft.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com