STORM LAKE, Iowa – A former Armstrong police officer was arraigned on 84 criminal counts stemming from a state investigation into massive wrong-doing in the Iowa-Minnesota border town of Armstrong. Bond for Benjamin Sheevel, 30, was set at $200,000. Sheevel was the sixth Armstrong municipal employee acused in the last 14 months of dubious deeds. some going back many years. None remain in offce. The status of the other cases:
> Craig Merrill, police chief, case pending.
> Greg Buum, mayor, pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.
> Connie Thackery, city clerk, pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.
> Tracie Lang, city clerk, pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.
> Mary Staton, city clerk, guilty and awaiting sentencing.
State Auditor Mary Mosiman, who investigated the town’s finances. concuded that funds were so mismanaged that that it was impossible to determine which spending was appropriate and legal and which wasn’t.
A federal case
Scheevel also is named in a federal lawsuit. Victoria Abrahamson of Estherville, Iowa, claims that Scheevel sent messages to her offering to pay the $1,500 she owed to get her repossessed car back Why? For sexual sexual favors, she says. Esthervlle and Armstrong, both in Emmet County, are 18 miles apart.