Ohio man in jail in Fort Dodge sex abuse case

A man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Fort Dodge last fall has been jailed, according to court records.

Christopher J. Carpenter, 21, of Perrysburg, Ohio, was arrested by Fort Dodge police and charged with third degree sexual abuse. In the criminal complaint filed against him, police wrote that between 11 p.m. Oct. 9, 2025, and 1 a.m. Oct. 10, 2025, Carpenter performed a sex act against the victim’s will.

Carpenter was arrested Wednesday and made his initial appearance in Webster County Magistrate Court Thursday morning.

Magistrate Brandy R. Lundy scheduled an April 10 preliminary hearing. She ordered that Carpenter be held in jail on a $10,000 cash only bond. She also issued an order barring him from having any contact with the woman he is accused of assaulting.

Fort Dodge man arrested for thefts

A Fort Dodge man is facing multiple felony charges after investigators linked him to a series of fraudulent purchases at Bomgaars stores across Iowa.

Duke Davis, 40, is accused of charging merchandise to a former employer’s account at five different Bomgaars stores as early as December 2025. According to court documents, Davis forged another employee’s signature during each transaction, allowing him to walk away with more than $7,300 in merchandise without authorization.

Storm Lake police identified Davis and arrested him on March 23. He was then transferred from the Webster County Jail to the Buena Vista County Jail. Davis was booked on felony charges of ongoing criminal conduct, forgery, and second-degree theft. He is being held on a $32,000 bond.

Police Log

FORT DODGE

Wednesday

A civil dispute was reported in the 1300 block of Ninth Avenue South.

A fight was reported in the 1700 block of Third Avenue South.

A disabled vehicle was reported at East Riverside Drive and Hawkeye Avenue.

A parking complaint was reported in the 100 block of North First Street.

A parking complaint was reported in the 300 block of South Sixth Street.

An open door or window was reported in the 900 block of Central Avenue.

Harassment was reported in the 1200 block of Fourth Avenue North.

A shoplifter was reported in the 1800 block of First Avenue South.

A welfare check was conducted in the 700 block of First Avenue South.

A violation of a no contact order was reported in the 700 block of First Avenue South.

Soliciting was reported at Ninth Avenue South and 17th Street.

A theft was reported in the 3300 block of Fifth Avenue South.

A missing person was reported in the 1200 block of South 25th Street.

A violation of a no contact order was reported in the 600 block of Central Avenue.

A vehicle accident was reported in the 100 block of South 29th Street.

Harassment was reported in the 1300 block of Third Avenue South.

Harassment was reported in the 2000 block of 10th Avenue North.

A welfare check was conducted in the 1000 block of Williams Drive.

A noise violation was reported in the 1700 block of Second Avenue North.

Magistrate Court

WEBSTER COUNTY

Thursday

Failure to appear for arraignment — Estrella A. Mendez, 25, 2456 170th St., further proceedings to be scheduled.

Third degree sexual abuse — Christopher J. Carpenter, 21, Perrysburg, Ohio, preliminary hearing set for April 10, no contact order issued.

Fifth degree theft — Christina M. Welch, 48, 1915 Third Ave. N., continued 180 days.