Lang
1/2/21
Muscatine County officials are seeking compensation from a murder suspect for expenses incurred by the medical examiner and law enforcement related to his arrest.
According to The Muscatine Journal, documents filed in the Iowa District Court for Cedar County ask that if 21-year-old Milton Jermaine Cole Serrano Jr. of Muscatine reaches a plea agreement or is found guilty, he be forced to pay Muscatine County $3,457.80 for medical expenses. Muscatine County is asking Serrano pay a total of $718.80 for medical examiner expenses including scene time, investigation time and mileage; $652 for funeral home transport; and $2,087 for an autopsy by the state medical examiner.
The amount is the same amount as a claim filed to Muscatine County from the Cedar County Auditor’s office.
Serrano is charged with 1st Degree Murder in the death of 19-year-old Chantz Stevens of Wilton during a July 19th party at a rural home south of Clarence. Serrano allegedly stabbed Stevens with a knife after Stevens and several other partygoers confronted Serrano about keying a car parked outside. Serrano also faces a 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief charge.
Trial is set for May 17th.
