Former Wynot teacher has charges filed against him in federal court
SIOUX CITY, IOWA - A former Wynot school teacher now faces a felony and misdemeanor charge in federal court.
The Woodbury County Attorney’s Office in Iowa said charges against Andrew Heller, 39, of Sergeant Bluff, were dismissed in its court last week so that the same charges could be filed in federal court.
Heller is accused of enticing a minor under 16 for sexual purpose and soliciting prostitution. According to a criminal complaint, FBI investigators had been monitoring communications between Heller and a 14-year-old, in which Heller asked her for sex and offered to pay $200. Heller worked as a teacher and coach at Wynot Public Schools at the time of his arrest this summer.
Updates on other area court cases include: - Jackson Metheny, 25, Laurel, was arrested on charges of violating a harassment protection order and stalking after he allegedly came to the front door, grabbed the door handle and looked through the window of a Laurel home whose occupants had a protection order entered against him.
- Jesse Hazel, 42, Sioux Falls, S.D., was picked up on a warrant from five years ago charging him with third-degree assault. The warrant recently expired and was re-issued and he was picked up in Cedar County. The charges stem from an incident in August 2017 at Tailwaters Campground in which Hazel allegedly struck and pushed a woman, causing her injury. He pleaded not guilty in Cedar County Court and was released on bond. Hazel is set to appear again on Nov. 9.
- Louis Steffen, 50, Hartington, was arrested on charges of thirddegree assault and child abuse.
Law enforcement were called after a verbal fight turned physical. Steffen allegedly struck and pushed a youth, causing injury. He pleaded not guilty and a pre-trial conference was set for Nov. 9.
- Teri Fettig, 38, Laurel, appeared in Cedar County Court and pleaded not guilty to a third-degree assault charge. Her pre-trial date was set for Nov. 9. She is accused of assaulting a man. He also allegedly videotaped part of the incident which showed Fettig threatening him with a baseball bat.
- Samantha Fredericksen, 32, Sioux City, Iowa, appeared on a felony charge of theft by unlawful taking in Cedar County Court. Arraignment was set for Nov. 30. In the case, she is accused of stealing a county-owned pickup truck during an alleged escape from the Cedar County jail Sept. 1. Her next appearance in the escape case has been set for Dec. 12 in district court.