Linn County juror who caused mistrial charged with perjury

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids woman faces charges for not disclosing that she knew the man on trial after being selected as a juror in August and didn’t report all of her convictions on a jury questionnaire, which does warn of a penalty for not being truthful.

Nakia Long, 23, was charged Wednesday with perjury and third-degree fraudulent practices. She is accused of making false statements under oath during jury selection and on the questionnaire about being an associate of people connected to Royal Rio Jones, 19, who was on trial for possessing a gun as a felon and other charges.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Kevin McKeever declared a mistrial on the second day of Jones’ trial after police officers and Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks made him aware of the juror’s acquaintance with the defendant.

Maybanks previously told The Gazette that police officers who were testifying in the case recognized Long. After doing some background investigation, they determined she knew individuals that Jones knows and who were “involved in shots fired and firearm incidents.” The officers also believed she likely knew Jones.

A phone call Jones made from the Linn County Jail after the first day of his trial confirmed he was familiar with Long, referring to her by a nickname, Maybanks said.

Officers also told the court Long had been detained as part of a shots-fired investigation at 1748 C Ave. NE that involved Jones’ known associates. That incident happened about six months before Jones was arrested at the rental house May 19.

They also told the judge about a social media post Long made, saying she had jury duty and that the person on trial would be freed and found not guilty.

The complaint also states the juror also didn’t include all her criminal convictions and a pending charge she has in Dubuque County for interference with official acts resulting in bodily injury.

According to online court records, Long has several misdemeanor convictions, including theft, possession of marijuana, accessory after the fact, criminal mischief, violation of probation and harboring a runaway.

Long was eligible to serve on a jury because she hasn’t been convicted of a felony. However, she didn’t disclose any of her arrests during jury selection, which the lawyers and judges ask potential jurors to do so both the defense and prosecution have a fair trial.

Jones, who was on probation for robbery and gun convictions, was the first person arrested May 19 after several incidents of shots-fired at the rental house at 1748 C Ave. NE. Neighbors told The Gazette they had been terrorized by the gunfire for months and in some cases bullets had come through their houses.

Jones’ trial was reset but he pleaded guilty Sept. 6 to one charge of possession of a firearm by a felon. He faces up to five years in prison.

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