The Perry man who shot the Perry Chief of Police last year was sentenced Thursday to 40 years in prison, with mandatory minimum sentencing laws ensuring he will serve at least 10 years behind bars.
Jeremiah Matthew Messner, 31, of 1319 W. Second St., Perry, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Dallas County District Court to six felony charges: willful injury, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, reckless use of a firearm, trafficking in stolen weapons, convicted felon in control of a firearm or offensive weapon and second-degree criminal mischief.
Messner was originally charged May 10, 2022, with attempted murder, a Class B felony, and going armed with intent, a Class D felony. A provisional plea agreement with the Dallas County Attorney’s office was reached May 15, 2023, and the original charges were amended to three Class C felonies: willful injury, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and reckless use of a firearm.
The other three original charges — trafficking in stolen weapons, convicted felon in control of a firearm or offensive weapon and second-degree criminal mischief — remained unchanged.
According to court records, “As a consequence of this plea agreement,” Messner “shall agree to serve what is effectively a forty (40) year indeterminate term of imprisonment with a ten (10) year mandatory minimum sentence.”
By accepting the plea bargain, Messner exchanged a 25-year mandatory minimum sentence for a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence.
The shooting of Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn occurred May 10, 2022, on Perry’s west side, where law enforcement officers were negotiating with Messner, who was armed with a pistol. According to a statement issued by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, during a “struggle with officers, Messner fired his handgun, striking Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn in the upper leg.”
Vaughn, a 29-year law enforcement veteran with 10 years leading Perry’s department, was hospitalized with a leg wound and apparently has made a full recovery.
