Sioux Center, Iowa — A Sioux Center man faces a felony charge after he allegedly bribed a Sioux Center Police Officer on Friday.
According to the criminal complaint filed with the Sioux County Clerk of Court, 30-year-old Jorge Bartolon-Bartolon is charged with First Offense Operating While Intoxicated and presenting a false ID to a law officer, which are both misdemeanors, and a felony charge of Bribery after the incident, which is said to have occured on Friday, November 5th.
The Sioux Center Police Officer’s statement on the complaint alleges that the officer noticed a parked vehicle with its headlights on in an apartment building parking lot, and noticed two male individuals inside the running vehicle. The officer says that when Bartolon-Bartolon saw the officer, he allegedly turned off the car, exited the vehicle, and began walking away. He was stopped by the officer and, according to the complaint, allegedly admitted to drinking four beers. Bartolon-Bartolon at that point allegedly gave the officer a false name and date of birth. His Guatemalan passport in the name of Bartolon-Bartolon was eventually found in his possession. The officer says he then admitted to giving a false name and date of birth, but then bribed the officer multiple times, offering money in exchange for his freedom. The officer says Bartolon-Bartolon had pending Sioux County warrants.
He was released the next day after posting a $3000 bond.
Bribery is a class D felony in Iowa. If convicted on that charge, Bartolon-Bartolon could face five years in prison.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16th.
