Melendez

Rebeca Melendez, 40, of Marshalltown, was arrested by a Marshall County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputy Monday and taken to jail on charges of assault causing bodily injury and criminal mischief third degree. On Sunday, the MCSO responded to an assault in the 2500 block of Smith Avenue. The victim alleged Melendez had assaulted her over an ongoing dispute. The victim said Melendez pulled her hair and hit her in the face.

The victim suffered minor pain, facial swelling, redness and loss of hair. During the assault, a necklace worn by the victim valued at approximately $1,300 was broken by Melendez, resulting in the criminal mischief third degree charge. At her initial appearance also Monday, a magistrate judge ordered Melendez held on $3,000 bond, cash or surety and issued a no contact order against her to protect the victim.

Criminal mischief third degree is an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by a maximum prison term not to exceed two years or may be a jail sentence of not more than one year. A mandatory fine of at least $500 but not more than $5,000 may be imposed

Her preliminary hearing is Feb. 28.