Second area transient charged with June criminal mischief incident

Hunter
07/11/24

A second area transient has been charged from a June incident in which she and another man caused thousands of dollars in damage to a downtown Iowa City building.

According to the criminal complaint, 45-year-old Stephanie Meeker joined previously identified 32-year-old Yshan Rogers in an apartment building on East Burlington Street at around 9:30am June 3rd.  They allegedly entered without permission and proceeded to the basement, where they broke into a locked room.

$500 in damage was allegedly caused to doors and locks to get to the basement.

Once there, the two remained in the basement and caused extensive damage. According to the arrest report, Meeker and Rogers punched holes in the drywall, ruined the flooring, and discharged a fire extinguisher.

It was estimated that total costs to repair and replace the damage caused exceed $5100.

A warrant was issued for the two suspects on June 10 th .

Rogers was reportedly already in custody and was charged with 2 nd degree criminal mischief and trespass causing damage. His trial was due to start July 15 th and could have been sentenced to up to six years in prison, but he reached a plea deal with prosecutors on July 2nd . Rogers received a two-year suspended sentence on the criminal mischief charge along with two years probation and 365 days in a residential facility. The trespass charge was dismissed.

Meeker remained at large until Tuesday, when she was booked and charged with the same crimes as Rogers. On Wednesday, she was released on her own recognizance pending arraignment. If convicted on both counts, Meeker could also be sentenced to up to six years in prison.