Strasser Sentenced After April Guilty Plea

Jessica Strasser (Mahaska County Jail Photo)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Jessica Strasser plead guilty April 2nd, and was sentenced in Mahaska County District Court on June 19th by Eighth Judicial Judge Annette Scieszinski.

Information in the case first became available after the State of Iowa Auditors Office released a report on a special investigation of the Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District for the period March 24, 2006 through August 31, 2013. The special investigation was requested by officials of the Iowa Department of Agriculture (IDALS) as a result of concerns regarding the appropriate use of funds provided to the District. That report was released on October 1st, 2014.

Assistant Attorney General for the State of Iowa Robert Sand filed the documents with the Mahaska County Clerk of Court on October 9, 2014.

On October 15, 2014, Jessica Strasser turned herself in to Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agents at the Mahaska County Jail in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Strasser had been charged with Theft in the First Degree, a class C Felony, and Ongoing Criminal Conduct, a class B Felony, at the time of her surrender.

The investigation identified $279,344.58 of improper disbursements and un-deposited collections. The improper disbursements of $242,103.53 included $241,248.08 of cash withdrawn from the District’s accounts. Strasser’s name was on documentation as the individual who withdrew the cash. Strasser was the Secretary for the District. Strasser resigned from the Iowa Department of Agriculture on August 9, 2013.

Strasser was sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison for Theft in the First Degree, credit is given for any days served prior to sentencing.

Strasser is ordered to pay victim restitution of $265,854.24 to the Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Strasser is also ordered to pay a $1000.00 fine plus a 35 percent surcharge. There is also a $125 law-enforcement initiative surcharge.