VERSAILLES, MI (IRN) – A Missouri State Trooper has been charged in the death of an Iowa man who drowned while in custody at Lake of the Ozarks. KCRG-TV reports Trooper Anthony Piercy faces a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the death of 20-year-old Brandon Ellingson. Ellingson drowned after being arrested for allegedly boating while intoxicated. Ellingson fell out of Piercy’s boat while he was handcuffed. A life jacket Piercy placed on Ellingson was put on wrong.

SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A Sioux City high school band director who resigned last week has been arrested and charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee. The Sioux City Journal reports 34-year-old Lucas Sursely texted a 15-year-old female student in one of his classes about having sex with her and sent the girl a picture of himself in his underwear.

DES MOINES (IRN) – Two people who received speeding violations from automated traffic enforcement cameras on Interstate 235 have filed a lawsuit against the city of Des Moines according to KCCI-TV. The men allege their equal protection rights were violated because not every speeder receives a citation.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A company has agreed to pay $1.1 million to settle claims that it improperly billed Medicare for treating patients who were ineligible to receive hospice benefits. KCRG-TV reports the government alleged that Iowa Hospice knowingly billed Medicare for 34 patients between 2007 and 2013 who were ineligible for the benefit. Iowa Hospice doesn’t admit wrongdoing in the settlement.

GRANGER, IA (IRN) – A body found Thursday in a pond between Granger and Grimes is that of a missing Des Moines teenager. WHO-TV reports 17-year old Sam Kemp was last seen at a party that had between 150 and 200 people in attendance. When police busted the party, Kemp fled. The cause of death hasn’t been determined.

BLACK HAWK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A man was arrested after deputies responded to a burglary in progress at a home in Dunkerton Thursday morning, according to KWWL-TV. The suspect got into a vehicle and sped off as deputies arrived. 43-year-old Chad James Clark of Waterloo was apprehended and charged with Burglary in the Third Degree, Possession of Burglary Tools, Carrying Weapons and Possession of Methamphetamine. He’s in jail.

CHARLES CITY, IA (IRN) – A Charles City student has been expelled for striking an assistant wrestling coach. The Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier reports the incident occurred in late November. The student hasn’t been identified, and charges won’t be filed.

DES MOINES COUNTY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa sheriff shot himself accidentally. WQAD-TV reports Des Moines County Sheriff Mike Johnstone sustained a gunshot wound to his left hand as he cleaned his handgun Wednesday. Johnstone was taken to a local emergency room and later transferred to another facility for treatment by a surgeon who specializes in hand injuries. The injury isn’t life-threatening.