A trial date has been after a North Iowa woman pleaded not guilty to using derogatory names and directed abusive epithets towards a female victim.
The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) arrested 34-year-old Ashley Bartels of Riceville on April 4th, after she allegedly made the offensive remarks to the woman and a group of her friends. The victim also claims Bartels pushed her and made death threats.
MCSO later located Bartels at the AmericInn in Osage, where she allegedly admitted to contacting the victim and her friends, calling them derogatory names and directing abusive epithets about their sexuality and gender. She was also found to be in possession of marijuana and THC gummies.
MCSO also alleges that Bartels resisted arrest and had to be tackled to the ground to get her into handcuffs.
Tuesday (05.20), Bartels pleaded not guilty to four counts of first degree harassment and one count of possession of marijuana, aggravated misdemeanors, plus two counts of interference with official acts and one count of disorderly conduct. Her trial is now scheduled for August 13th in Mitchell County District Court.
Bartels also faces four counts of assault – violation of individual rights, all serious misdemeanors., though those charges were not included in her arraignment Tuesday. Her next scheduled court date related to those charges is this Friday (05.23).
In December 2019, Bartels was convicted for assaulting a Howard County Sheriff’s deputy, including spitting on him and threatening to shoot him in the head. In December 2021, she was convicted for threatening a female co-worker at an Osage bar and then preventing her from calling 911.
