Springville man accused of burglary last week, now faces witness tampering charges

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Springville man who was charged last week with burglary also has been charged with bribing the witness who says he entered her Cedar Rapids house uninvited and then choked her.

  Buy Photo

Hunter Scott Bell, 30, was charged with second-degree burglary, a felony, after entering the residence of Abigail Begley, his ex-girlfriend, without permission when he saw another man, Wyatt Christophel, in her home on July 9, according to a criminal complaint.

Begley repeatedly asked Bell to leave but he refused. Bell then left and “intentionally” damaged Christophel’s 2022 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck by hitting the quarter panel, causing a large dent, which is estimated to cost $1,500 and $10,000 to repair, the complaint stated.

Bell then followed Begley back into her house and started yelling at her and refused to leave, according to the complaint. Begley told police that Bell threw her to the ground and “began strangling her.” She got her cellphone and attempted to call 911 but he took the phone from her.

He also was charged with second-degree criminal mischief, assault with intent to inflict serious injury and obstruct 911 – purposely to interfere/obstruct.

At his initial appearance on the burglary charge, a judge issued a no contact order to prevent him from having any communication with Begley.

Bell paid his $25,000 surety bail and was released from jail pending his trial.

On July 13, Bell was charged with tampering with a witness or juror, a felony, after he left a note in Begley’s mailbox that stated “$10,000 cash. Do it for your son. Give it to him (to) use it, however. Take it. He will not let it go otherwise and I fear for the guy with the truck,” according to complaint.

The next day, July 14, Bell was again charged with tampering with a witness or juror and interference with official acts, according to a separate complaint. This time, he contacted Begley again and offered her $10,000 to drop the charges against him.

Bell was in the vicinity of Begley’s home, so she contacted police, but Bell ran from officers as they ordered him to stop. Bell then led the officers on two separate foot chases — “obstructing or hindering their official duties” — before being arrested.

On Wednesday, Bell was back in court and 6th Judicial Associate District Judge Russell Keast revoked his pretrial release and set his bail at $25,000 cash only.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Monica Slaughter filed a motion Thursday, asking the court to find Bell in contempt for violating the no contact orders.

Keast set a hearing regarding the alleged violations for July 26.

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com