Mason City man changes plea to guilty on several charges

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com 

A Mason City man who was scheduled to go on trial Tuesday on felony drug and theft charges as well as other charges has changed his plea to guilty on some of the charges.

Sean Wendling, age 52, of Mason City, was arrested in October after a chase by officers from several law enforcement agencies.

According to court documents and reports by the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy attempted to stop Wendling for a traffic violation west of Floyd on U.S. Highway 18/the Avenue of the Saints.

“The car sped off” and led the deputy on a chase through Floyd, the report said. The driver eventually abandoned the vehicle and fled into a wooded area east of the truck stops. After a brief search a K9 from the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office located Wendling, the report said.

Wendling had “methamphetamine in multiple clear plastic baggies, scales and packaging,” the report said.

Wendling was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, a Class B felony; eluding authorities while participating in a felony, a Class D felony; and first-degree theft, a Class C felony, for possession of a stolen vehicle, a 2011 Cadillac reported stolen in Kansas.

He was also charged with various traffic charges including improper headlight, careless driving, driving while revoked and stop sign violation.

Wendling initially pleaded not guilty to the charges and trial was set to begin Tuesday in Floyd County District Court.

On Monday, however, Wendling appeared in court and pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, reduced to a Class C felony; eluding, a Class D felony; and operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, an aggravated misdemeanor.

District Court Judge DeDra Schroeder accepted the plea and set a sentencing hearing for March 4.