Police say a recorded phone call from the Wapello County Jail revealed an Ottumwa man attempting to encourage a person to disobey a subpoena.
Nelson Mendoza, 40, has been charged with tampering with a witness, a Class D felony, and violation of a no contact/protective order, a simple misdemeanor.
On July 18th, Mendoza called an individual while housed in the Wapello County Jail, according to court records. During the call, Mendoza allegedly told the victim to avoid a subpoena or provide false testimony in a case. Court records did not detail specifically which case Mendoza was allegedly trying to influence. Police say the phone call from the jail was recorded.
Mendoza was arrested and charged in May after allegedly kicking in a door of a home and injuring an occupant. He was charged with first-degree burglary and his trial is set for September 1st.
Mendoza is currently lodged in the Wapello County Jail. His bail for the most recent case was set at $10,000.
