Lang
1/14/23
A suspect who led police on a chase through an Iowa City cornfield that caused a lockdown at a nearby elementary school is now wanted after skipping his sentencing.
36-year-old Deonte House…who lists home addresses of both Cicero, Illinois and Des Moines…was scheduled to be sentenced on Monday in Johnson County court. But court records show he failed to appear, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Johnson County deputies say they began pursuing a stolen 2006 Toyota Tacoma being driven by House just before 2:45pm on August 26th on Highway 6 near Johnson-Muscatine Road. The chase continued on Highway 6 into Iowa City before the stolen car turned south onto Sycamore Street.
Police say House eventually drove into the cornfield south and west of the Sycamore Trail before ditching the car and attempting to flee on foot. Damage to the corn in the field was estimated at over $10,000.
As officers searched the field, nearby Alexander Elementary School was briefly locked down, and Johnson County deputies briefly set up a perimeter at the Sycamore Apartments on Kountry Lane, which sits along the south border of the field.
House was eventually taken into custody. A search of the vehicle reportedly turned up a duffel bag containing marijuana, and an unknown substance wrapped in foil and paper with House’s name on it.
House is charged with 2nd Degree Theft, Felony Eluding, 1st Degree Criminal Mischief, Trespassing Causing Damage Over $300, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug. If convicted on all charges, House would have faced a maximum of 23 years in prison. He pleaded guilty last October, but terms of the deal have not been released.