Mason City man pleads not guilty to Floyd County assault, firearms, drug charges

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A Mason City man who had recently submitted three written pleas of guilty as part of a plea agreement has now pleaded not guilty and a trial has been set for February on two weapons charges, assault on a police officer, and two drug charges.

Jesse Paul Mugan, age 31, was charged with possession of a short-barreled shotgun; possession of a firearm by a felon; and assault on persons engaged in certain occupations with intent to cause serious injury. All three are Class D felonies.

He was also charged with possession of marijuana, first offense; and possession of methamphetamine, first offense; both serious misdemeanors.

According to records filed in Floyd County District Court, Mugan was stopped for obstructing traffic in Nora Springs on Nov. 24, 2020, while he was on foot and attempting to get a ride.

“While resisting arrest, defendant did bite the arresting officer’s right bicep, resulting in broken/torn skin, bruising,” the criminal complaint document says.

A search of Mugan’s pockets allegedly found a firearm, which Mugan was not allowed to carry because he had been convicted of felony domestic assault in 2014, records show. The weapon was a “homemade single shot shotgun with a barrel length of 2½ inches and total overall length of 6 inches,” the court records say.

The search also showed Mugan was allegedly in possession of a small baggie of crystal-like power suspected to be methamphetamine, and was also allegedly in possession of a black container with numerous roaches with suspected marijuana.

On Dec. 28, Mugan filed three written pleas of guilty in Floyd County District Court on a reduced assault charge, the possession of a firearm charge and the methamphetamine charge. As part of the plea agreement, the Floyd County Attorney’s Office was going to recommend a suspended jail sentence and fine on the most serious charge, a total of 62 days in jail on the other charges, and the possession of a short-barreled shotgun and the possession of marijuana charges would be dismissed.

District Court Judge Peter Newell had ordered that he would proceed with the guilty pleas on Tuesday, Jan. 5, but on Tuesday, Mugan’s attorney filed a written arraignment, pleading not guilty to all of the original charges and demanding a speedy trial.

Newell set the trial for Feb. 18 in Floyd County District Court.