Judge sentences mother to 2 years probation for child endangerment, assault during “street brawl” that led to shooting

CEDAR RAPIDS - The woman who brought four of her children and another teen to a 'street brawl” that resulted in one man's death received a suspended jail sentence and two years probation Thursday for her actions.

Saresa Keith, 39, pleaded guilty in October to misdemeanor charges of child endangerment and assault causing bodily injury. She admitted to bringing her three daughters, ages 12, 17 and 20, along with a 15-year-old family friend and her 16-year-old son Kenyauta Vesey-Keith, charged with fatally shooting a man, to the brawl on March 19 in the 1100 block of Maplewood Drive.

During the Linn County plea hearing, Keith also admitted to assaulting another person with a taser she brought with her that night.

Sixth Judicial Associate District Judge Russell Keast sentenced Keith Thursday to three years in jail but ran those concurrently, for a total of two years, which he suspended to give Keith two years probation.

Keast said he wasn't granting a deferred judgment, as the defense asked, because it's 'not appropriate.” Keith understood what she was getting into that night and chose to take a taser, he said.

However, the judge said he believed that Keith is sorry for her actions, and he also took into consideration her lack of criminal history.

Keith, who started crying during the hearing, told the judge she was protecting her children that night. 'I'm not a monster as he (the prosecutor) is painting me out to be,” she said.

Keith apologized more than once for the incident and said she couldn't change anything.

Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden asked the judge to sentence Keith to jail time because the harm outweighs any considerations for a deferred judgment. 'She harmed her children and the community,” said.

Vander Sanden continued, saying Keith participated in this feud between two groups of people that had been going on for two years and endangered her children in a fight where weapons were used. Vander Sanden pointed out this 'street brawl” was only three blocks from Keith's home, which is a 'densely populated” area.

Vander Sanden admitted that Keith told her son, Vesey-Keith, to put the gun away but she should have prevented this entire activity.

Shawn Fitzgerald, Keith's lawyer, pointed out Keith has had no problems since last March and there hasn't been any further 'ongoing feud.” Witnesses said Keith tried to pull people away from the brawl, he added.

Vesey-Keith is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, willful injury causing serious injury and intimidation with a weapon. His trial is set for Jan. 29 in Linn County District Court. He is accused of fatally shooting 21-year-old Brandon Johnson and seriously injuring 16-year-old Deaveon Gaudlin during the fight.

Police said the fight was a continuation of a dispute that began with a melee in the Lindale Mall food court in February 2014 that turned into an ongoing rivalry between two families and their friends. A dozen or more people, including adults and juveniles, were involved in the March 2016 fight.

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