Articles Tagged: Marion Police Department

The heartbroken father of Melody Hoffman, who was murdered in February 2024, told her killer, 19-year-old Dakota Van Patten, that he doesn’t deserve to be called human. He is a “monster,” who will be forgotten.

Dakota Van Patten, 19, of Cedar Rapids, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole for the kidnapping and strangling of 20 year-old Melody Hoffman of Marion, on Feb. 18, 2024. The jury deliberated for about three hours.

Dakota Van Patten repeatedly told police he had no knowledge and wasn’t involved in Melody Hoffman’s assault and strangulation in February 2024. He wouldn’t be able to “live with himself” if he killed someone, he told investigators.

A state medical examiner testified Tuesday 20-year-old Melody Hoffman was strangled from behind by her attacker and likely died within minutes on Feb. 18, 2024.

Dakota Van Patten took 200 selfies of himself wearing Melody Hoffman’s glasses after she was killed Feb. 18, 2024. An investigator found the photos on his cellphone during the investigation.

Marion police investigators testified Friday about how traffic cameras and cellphone data helped them piece together what happened to Melody Hoffman, who was kidnapped and killed in February 2024.

Jeremy Sprague was sworn into office Thursday, becoming Marion’s new police chief

Longtime law enforcement officer and peer support advocate Jeremy Sprague is set to join the department on Aug. 21.

Marion residents were able to meet Wednesday evening with four candidates who the city has identified as candidates to fill the position of police chief, vacated by Chief Mike Kitsmiller when he retired in the spring. The candidate who is ultimately selected will lead the department of 48 sworn officers, 10 dispatchers and six civilian employees.

Fireworks vendors and law enforcement alike are gearing up in preparation for Independence Day celebrations after new legislation was passed this year prohibiting Iowa cities from banning fireworks on July 3 and 4 and Dec. 31.

Four finalists include one internal and three external applicants to replace former chief Mike Kitsmiller.

Finalists are set to be interviewed next month. The city is working to fill the position after previous Chief Mike Kitsmiller retired in April.

A former deputy police chief suggested he cuff and pat down a custodian with whom he attempted to cultivate a relationship. The Iowa Supreme Court said his conduct was not severe enough to warrant legal action.

A car collided Monday afternoon with a Linn-Mar Community School District bus, but the bus driver and passengers were uninjured, Marion police said.

A masked robber, who was identified last year after Marion police saw his sinister clown tattoo on his leg, pleaded to a lesser charge and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He must serve a mandatory five years before being eligible for parole.