Crime & Safety
Trials Set for Three Men Accused in Breckenridge Undercover Investigation Shooting
The three men allegedly involved with a drug bust gone wrong that left one man dead will be all tried on the same day.
The three men accused of being involved with selling drugs, as well as being involved with a undercover drug bust in August at the Breckenridge Estate Trailer Courtoutside of Iowa City , have had their trials set for the moment for the beginning of November.
Norman Dudley, 20, and John Mulbah, 21, are scheduled to go on trial for on Nov. 6 for alleged cocaine dealing, according to documents filed in Johnson County Court this week. Also on Nov. 6, Norman's brother DeMarco Dudley, 22, is scheduled to go on trial for a more serious first-degree robbery charge for allegedly menacing the undercover officers.
Court records show that Mulbah also has a trial date for other felony controlled substance violations on January 15 of next year.
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What Reportedly Happened
An undercover law enforcement agent used "reasonable force" in a shooting during a drug sting that left a man dead on the night of August 16, according to findings from an internal law enforcement investigation.
Find out what's happening in Iowa Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The agent involved in the , 24, dead has been identified as Daniel Stepleton of the state Division of Narcotics Enforcement. He was working undercover with a second agent at the Breckenridge Trailer Court Unit 7C, 4494 Taft Ave. shortly before 7 p.m. on Aug. 16, according to a statement from Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness.
According to the investigation, Hardemon directed the two officers into a trailer in Breckenridge, at which point two men with cloths covering their faces and hats on emerged from the back of the trailer carrying clubs rods.
Hardemon pulled a black handgun out of his backpack and directed one of the masked men to pat down the agents. Stepleton had a handgun tucked into the back waistband of his pants.
Once the man felt the weapon, Stepleton leaned back against the wall to prevent him from taking it. Hardemon then pointed the gun at Stepleton's head, "actually touching Stepleton's head with the barrel, and made statement about shooting him.
Stepleton then pushed the weapon away and simultaneously retrieved the gun from his waistband and fired four times. The bullets struck Hardemon in the chest and arm, and DeMarco Dudley twice in the arm.
Hardemon, Dudley and the third man ran out the back of the trailer, across the street and to a vacant lot. Hardemon died in the back of the lot and the two other men fled.
Dudley, 22, was dropped off at the hospital, and was arrested after being treated. He was charged with first-degree robbery.
was apprehended soon after the shooting after a four-hour standoff with police. Mulbah was charged with felony cocaine distribution for selling 10.1 grams of cocaine for $850 to an undercover Division of Narcotics Enforcement Special Agent on Davis Street on Aug. 13 at 4:00 p.m., according to a criminal complaint.
, DeMarco's brother, turned himself in on the following Sunday night. Police previously said he drove his brother and dropped him off an unidentified location. Norman Dudley was charged with felony cocaine distribution for selling 14.1 grams of cocaine base for $950 near the K-Mart at 901 Hollywood Boulevard at 5:39 p.m. on Aug. 14, according to a criminal complaint.
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