Authorities responded to a series of repeated reports from a resident who claimed a neighbor had been injured and later dead, prompting multiple welfare checks throughout the night.
On April 5, the Wapello County Sheriff’s Department received a call from James Jessop, 60, of the 200 block of E. Main Street in Agency.
According to authorities, Jessop reported hearing a loud bang coming from a neighboring residence. Court documents note that a deputy observed Jessop watching as they made contact with the neighbor.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., Jessop called authorities again, claiming his neighbor was dead. The criminal complaint states that Jessop contacted the Wapello County Sheriff’s Department three additional times. Deputies advised him that contact had been made with the neighbor, who was reported to be fine.
At around 10:45 p.m., Jessop called once more, stating that he was stealing items from the neighbor’s pockets because the neighbor was dead. Court records also indicate that Jessop told another resident at the complex—who had just arrived home—that the neighbor was deceased.
At approximately 10:15 p.m., deputies again checked on the neighbor and found that he was alive but hard of hearing and asleep, which is why he had not answered the door.
Jessop was taken into custody at approximately 10:45 p.m. and is reported to have knowingly resisted both deputies during the arrest.
He is currently being held in the Wapello County Jail on a $300 cash/surety bond. A pretrial conference is scheduled for April 29.
Jessop is charged with disorderly conduct (abusive epithets/threatening gesture), false reports to an entity, and interference with official acts, all simple misdemeanors.
Editors Note: All information was obtained from court documents related to the ongoing investigation.
