An Osceola man has plead not guilty to two charges of double homicide.
Richard Ryan Lamb Carson, 38, of Osceola has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Erick Reyna, 22, and Noe Flores Rascon, 27, both of Osceola.
According to a record search of Iowa Courts Online, an arraignment for Carson was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 12. However, a written arraignment and plea of not guilty was issued before the scheduled date.
The homicides
The double homicide dates back to the beginning of the year. On Saturday, Jan. 24, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Osceola Police Department received a report that Reyna and Rascon had gone missing during the evening hours Friday, Jan. 23.
After further investigation, the two men were located Sunday, Jan. 25, in a vehicle at 1305 255th Ave., Osceola, in rural northern Clarke County. They were deceased. It appears both victims died of gunshot wounds.
Court report
According to court documents, a female reported, "Carson spoke of beating up her two friends and taking them into the county to dump them off."
The documents state Carson told state investigators that he did get into an altercation with Rascon while in a vehicle outside of a residence in Osceola. Carson said that during the altercation, a gun was presented and discharged. Carson later told state investigators, "It was self-defense."
Accessory after the fact
Three other Osceola residents have been charged in connection with the homicide investigation.
Lynn Ranean Sutton, 47, and Christopher Martin Elben, 42, have each plead not guilty to their charge of one count of accessory after the fact.
Accessory after the fact is a result of the suspects helping the perpetrator after the crime had occurred.
Tracy Kay Johnson, 43, was also charged with one count of accessory after the fact. An online records search showed no arraignment has been scheduled or plea issued for Johnson yet.
Investigation
The double homicide investigation is being led by Osceola Police Department, Clarke County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
According to Osceola Police Chief Marty Duffus, Carson and the victims were acquaintances. The victims were also acquaintances with each other.
Duffus said Carson and Johnson are the suspects who are in a relationship with each other.
“They’re all known to us,” Duffus said during a January press conference about the suspects’ past criminal history.
Sentences?
As for the charge of accessory after the fact, according to Osceola Police Department, it is an aggravated misdemeanor. If found guilty of the charge, a person can spend a maximum of two years in prison and a minimum of seven days.
When it comes to a first-degree murder charge, it is a capitol offense, and if a person is found guilty, that is an automatic sentence of life in prison with no eligibility of parole.