Iowa man makes appearance on multiple charges

WORTHINGTON - Mitchell L. Little, 58, of Charter Oak, Iowa, appeared this week in Nobles County District Court on felony charges of fleeing a peace officer and being a fugitive from justice from another state.
According to court records, a Nobles County Sheriff’s Office deputy on patrol earlier this month observed a vehicle pass by his location traveling northbound on Nobles County 25 near Reading. When the officer began following the vehicle, he noted the vehicle had traveled over the center line twice.
After turning on his squad car’s lights, the vehicle continued on Nobles County 14. The suspect vehicle made no indication to stop, even after the squad car’s sirens were activated. The officer’s radar detector recorded the vehicle speed between 55 and 60 mph, with the speed reaching 70 mph at one point on the 55 mph-limit roadway.
The suspect eventually reached Edwards Avenue and brought the vehicle to a complete stop. The Adrian Police Department assisted Nobles County by having an officer park his car at the intersection of Nobles County 14 and Minnesota 91. This blockade led to the suspect slowing down.
When the deputy approached the vehicle, the driver identified himself as Mitchell Lynn Little. Little was handcuffed, searched for officer safety and placed into the deputy’s car.
When searching the vehicle, the deputy was unable to find insurance information for its owner. The vehicle was registered to a Worthington man who Little claimed was his employer.
Dispatch informed the deputy of active warrants for Little in South Dakota, and that his driving status fin Iowa was suspended. Little was then arrested and transported to the Nobles County Jail.
After being read his Miranda rights, Little agreed to give a statement. Little told officers he was traveling from his employer’s home to his residence near Lismore. Little added that he had seen the emergency lights and heard the siren, but didn’t stop because he wanted to get home. Had the Adrian officer not been blocking the intersection, he said, he would have continued on to his home since he was so close.
Little also admitted to not having a valid driver’s license, noting that it had been suspended for five years due to failure to pay child support. Informed of the warrants in South Dakota, Little claimed he was unaware of them but added that he had lived in Mitchell, S.D., before moving to Iowa.
The warrant, issued from Union County, S.D., on Dec. 9, 2014, relates to four charges against Little: possession of a Schedule I or II substance; aggravated eluding law enforcement; reckless driving and possession of drug paraphernalia. The warrant also directs to hold Little on a $10,000 cash or surety bond. Teletypes received from the Union County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the plan to extradite Little should it become necessary.
In court Wednesday, Little’s attorney made a request for a speedy trial. If convicted, the penalty for fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle is three years imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine.
Little is also charged with a misdemeanor for driving after suspension, which carries a penalty of 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine or both, as well as a petty misdemeanor for speeding, which can lead to a $300 fine if convicted.