Nora Springs man gets up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to two felony assault charges

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A Nora Springs man who pleaded guilty to two felony assault charges has been sentenced to consecutive sentences of up to five years in prison on each charge. He was also fined $2,050 plus 15% surcharge and other fees.

John Andrew Salocker, age 40, had originally been charged in Floyd County District Court with attempted murder, a Class B felony; going armed with intent, a Class D felony; assault on persons in certain occupations (a county sheriff’s deputy), a Class D felony; eluding at more than 25 mph over the speed limit and while participating in a felony, a Class D felony; and first-degree harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor.

In early September, Salocker had filed a written plea of guilty to two charges – assault on persons engaged in certain occupations, and assault while participating in a felony. Both charges are Class D felonies.

On Monday in Floyd County District Court, Judge Blake Norman followed the sentencing recommendations of the County Attorney’s Office that were agreed to in the plea agreement, sentencing Salocker to an indeterminate term in prison not to exceed five years on each charge, then ordering that they be served consecutively.

In addition to the fines and fees, Norman also determined that Salocker was able to pay other restitution that could include crime victim assistance reimbursement, restitution to public agencies, contribution to a local anticrime organization, or restitution to the medical assistance program, as well as court-appointed attorney fees and court costs.

The judge granted credit for any time already served, plus an additional 120 days credit related to Salocker’s drug abuse treatment, as agreed to by the prosecution and defense.

Salocker had been free prior to sentencing, but on Oct. 16, County Attorney Todd Prichard filed a motion asking that Salocker’s release be revoked and an arrest warrant issued because Salocker had been charged with an OWI in Cerro Gordo County. Salocker was taken into custody again on Oct. 18.

According to the original criminal reports, Salocker had gotten into a verbal altercation with a Rudd man and the man’s mother on the evening of Oct. 27, 2022, then got a .22 caliber rifle from his residence and drove to the Rudd man’s home.

Near the home, the Rudd man had been stopped in his own vehicle by Floyd County Deputy Luke Chatfield for a traffic violation. Salocker allegedly stopped his vehicle near them and fired a round from the rifle in the vicinity of the Rudd man and Chatfield.

Chatfield, who is the county’s K9 officer, pursued the vehicle in a high speed chase through Floyd County until Salocker’s vehicle allegedly drove into a field and Salocker got out and entered a field of harvested corn. Chatfield’s K9, Sirius, identified an area where Salocker was, then Salocker was taken into custody after other law enforcement officers arrived to help with the apprehension, a court document states.