Two Charles City residents charged with taking almost $128,000 from older person

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Two Charles City women are charged with taking almost $128,000 from a person’s bank account “which was not in support of the victim’s best interest,” and have been charged with a Class B felony.

Charmaine R. Carr, age 37, and Sondra B. Newberry, age 65, were both charged with financial exploitation of an older individual over $50,000, first offense. Iowa law defines an “older individual” as someone age 60 or older.

According to the criminal complaints filed by the Charles City police, Newberry had financial power of attorney and Carr had financial power of attorney as a successor agent for the alleged victim from the period of January 2020 to December 2023.

“There was around $127,837 in expenditures that were withdrawn from (the person’s) bank account,” the complaint against each person says. The alleged victim is identified by initials only.

“There were no records for receipts, disbursements or transfers, either,” the complaints say about the alleged actions. “This would be for self dealings for personal benefit of the defendant,” the court documents for Carr and Newberry both say.

Newberry last week filed a written arraignment and pleaded not guilty to the charge. Her trial has been set for Aug. 20 in Floyd County District Court.

Carr’s arraignment has been scheduled for July 8, as the progress of her case has been delayed to find a court-appointed attorney to represent her.

The first appointed attorney withdrew because of case overload. The second attorney appointed withdrew because the alleged victim was a client. The third attorney appointed, David Skilton, withdrew because he is representing Newberry in the case.

Carr’s current attorney is Nathan Olson.