Northeast Iowa Murder Suspect Gets Trial Delay for Drug Charges

A former Charles City resident will get a trial delay on drug charges that resulted from the same investigation last fall that led to him being accused of killing a New Hampton man.

27-year-old Sayvonne Jordan faces charges of first-degree murder, going armed with intent, and abuse of a corpse in the death of 30-year-old Jonathan Esparza on October 20, 2022. Esparza’s remains were found during a search of Jordan’s Elma residence November 30, 2022. 

Authorities also found over 250 grams of marijuana and Jordan was charged with a controlled substance violation and failure to affix a drug stamp. His trial on both felonies was scheduled for October 25th until a continuance was granted Monday (10.16) and that trial was rescheduled for January 4, 2024, in Howard County District Court.

Jordan remains in the Howard County Jail in Cresco on a $1 million cash bond from the charges in the Esparza case, to which Jordan has pleaded not guilty. In September, the defense filed notice that Jordan intends to claim he acted in self-defense when his murder trial begins November 1st. 

Jordan is also scheduled for a November 2nd trial date in Bremer County from his arrest by the Iowa State Patrol last December for driving while barred and possession of marijuana. It was about a month after that Jordan was arrested and charged with Esparza’s murder.