Washington man gains more charges while at Henry County Jail

MT. PLEASANT — A Washington County man is facing a new misdemeanor charge after damaging jail property while being held at the Henry County Jail.

According to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, jail staff responded to an incident inside the facility at about 8:45 p.m. Dec. 28 involving Seth Copeland, 33, of Washington. An investigation determined Copeland became agitated and damaged property issued to him. The estimated cost to repair or replace the item is $200.

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A criminal complaint filed with Iowa Courts states Copeland “did intentionally damage an iPod belonging to Reliance Telephone Inc.”

Jail staff told investigators the incident followed an interaction while medication was being distributed. According to the complaint, staff said Copeland initially refused to confirm he had ingested his medication before eventually complying. Staff then informed him of potential consequences for what they described as disrespectful behavior and failure to follow directives.

“This upset Mr. Copeland and he stated he would break the iPod he had been issued,” the complaint states.

Ipods are used by inmates to communicate with friends and family outside the facility. Jail staff reported watching Copeland throw the device multiple times until it broke.

Copeland was relocated to another cell.

Henry County Sgt. Deputy Richard Stallman stated in the criminal complaint that he read Copeland his Miranda rights when he spoke with him later.

“Mr. Copeland exercised his rights and did not want to make any statements,” Stallman wrote.

Copeland is charged with criminal mischief in the fifth degree, a simple misdemeanor.

According to Iowa Courts, Copeland made his way to Henry County Jail on a felony charge of willful injury causing bodily injury and an aggravated misdemeanor charge of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. Those charges stem from an Aug. 28 incident in Burlington.

Court records show a preliminary hearing on those charges is scheduled for Dec. 29, 2025, at 2 p.m. in Associate Courtroom 2 at the Des Moines County Courthouse. An arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2026, at 8 a.m. at the Des Moines County Courthouse in Burlington. The arrest warrant for the August case was served on Copeland on Dec. 18.

The criminal complaint from the August incident alleges Copeland threatened a relative with a knife during a confrontation at the Walmart automotive area in Burlington.

According to the complaint, Copeland threatened the victim before charging at him with a knife. Surveillance footage reviewed by police reportedly shows Copeland lunging in a stabbing motion. The victim was treated at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center for a stab wound to the stomach.

Copeland was later located in Ainsworth and transported back to West Burlington.

Police wrote that Copeland was uncooperative during a Mirandized interview and refused to answer questions.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com