Iowa prosecutors deny judge influenced teen son's case

A district judge in northeast Iowa has been accused of influencing a misdemeanor case involving his 16-year-old son.

Judge Richard Stochl, of New Hampton, and his son, Noah, acknowledge that the boy fired an airsoft rifle at 17-year-old Brodie Rethamel and Rethamel's pickup.

According to the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, airsoft rifles look like real guns but under Iowa law are not considered dangerous weapons. They use compressed air to fire tiny plastic balls.

In a police incident report, Sgt. Steve Stalder recommended that two misdemeanors be filed against Noah Stochl.

Tim and Cheryl Rethamel allege the judge lobbied prosecutors against prosecuting Noah. Prosecutors deny the accusation.

The judge told the newspaper that he did not use his influence as a judge to sway prosecutors.