Vargas

A Marshalltown teen will enter into a plea agreement on three felony counts on Monday at the Marshall County Courthouse.

Jace Antonio Vargas, 19, has agreed to plead guilty to two Class C felonies — second-degree robbery and first-degree theft — and one Class D felony, carrying a weapon on school grounds. The counts stem from gunshots being fired in the Marshalltown High School parking lot on Dec. 15, 2025.

When the incident occurred, Marshalltown Police Department (MPD) officers responded to a weapons call at the high school. They were told people at the scene were reporting they were shot at while in the parking lot. Fortunately, no one was injured, and school was not in session.

Upon arrival, officers spoke to the victims, who described the suspects and the vehicle. Video evidence corroborated what the victims said, and the MPD located and arrested Vargas at a residence more than two weeks later on Dec. 31.

Vargas was originally charged with six felonies and three aggravated misdemeanors. Additional charges, which the state agreed to dismiss, were attempted murder, going armed with intent, and assault while participating in a felony, all felonies; and reckless use of a firearm resulting in property damage, use of a dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime and assault with a dangerous weapon, all aggravated misdemeanors.

The recommendation of Vargas’ defense counsel and the state is for him to serve 25 years in prison, with a 70 percent minimum of a 10-year sentence for robbery.

Vargas’ plea hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Monday.

Two additional people have been arrested and charged in connection with the parking lot incident. A juvenile female was arrested Dec. 15 and charged with first-degree robbery.

The third suspect, Angel Dominic Vasquez, 19, of Marshalltown, was arrested in January. He is charged with six felonies — attempted murder, carrying weapons on school grounds, going armed with intent, first-degree theft and assault while participating in a felony; and one aggravated misdemeanor — use of a dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime. A jury trial for Vasquez is currently scheduled to begin on Aug. 11.

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.