Nashua man pleads to reduced charge in injury case

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A Nashua man has pleaded guilty to a charge of injuring a juvenile in a plea deal that dismissed a child endangerment charge and will recommend a deferred judgment.

Christopher Marcus Meinders, age 28, had been charged in Floyd County District Court with one count of willful injury resulting in serious injury, a Class C felony, and child endangerment, torture  or cruelty resulting in serious injury, also a Class C felony.

According to criminal complaints filed by the Floyd County Sheriff’s office, Meinders had attacked a juvenile male on April 25, 2024, resulting in injuries to his face and neck, at a residence several miles west of Nashua.

The report said Meinders grabbed the juvenile by the throat and caused a fracture on the youth’s left eye. The report said Meinders attacked the youth after the youth allegedly touched a girl in the household in a sexual way.

Meinders pleaded not guilty and a trial had been most recently scheduled for September 2024, but was continued after Meinders was scheduled for a plea hearing.

On Dec. 9, Meinders entered a written plea of guilty to the reduced charge of willful injury resulting in bodily injury, a Class D felony.

The County Attorney’s Office moved that the child endangerment, torture or cruelty charge be dismissed, which Judge Chris Foy granted on Dec. 20.

The agreement with the Floyd County Attorney’s Office states: “Parties agree that the defendant will receive a deferred judgment with 2 years of probation and pay a $300 probation enrollment fee. The civil penalty shall be imposed but suspended. Defendant is responsible for court costs. Count II is dismissed at defendant’s costs.”

The agreement also says that Meinders understands the judge is not bound by the plea agreement and may sentence him up to the maximum penalty provided by law.

If it is granted, a deferred judgment in Iowa means the defendant pleads guilty, but the judge defers judgment and sentencing and sets up conditions such as probation that the defendant must meet.

If the defendant successfully completes all the conditions, the judge will dismiss the case and seal the records, meaning the defendant’s public record will not show the charges or a conviction. The court maintains access to the records in case the defendant is charged with a criminal offense in the future.

The judge retains the power to enter a judgment of guilty and impose a sentence if the deferment conditions are not met.

Judge Foy set sentencing in the case for Feb. 17 in Floyd County District Court.