Lang
8/11/25
A Columbus Junction man convicted in stabbing cases in Louisa, Washington and Des Moines Counties has escaped from work release for the second time in two years.
The Iowa Department of Corrections says 31-year-old Joshua Bergen failed to report back to the Lary A. Nelson Residential Center as required last Wednesday. He was admitted to the Cedar Rapids work release facility on July 29th.
Bergen was convicted of 3rd Degree Burglary , Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury and Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury in Louisa County after he stabbed two men outside The Sandbar in Wapello in 2015. He was also convicted of two counts of Escape of a Felon in Des Moines County and Assault Using a Weapon in 2012 after a stabbing in Washington. Charges from a stabbing in Mediapolis in 2014 were pleaded down to Assault While Displaying a Weapon.
Bergen also failed to report back to the Burlington Residential Facility as required in April of 2024. He was taken back into custody the next month and sentenced to an additional five years in prison.
Bergen is a 5’7″, 168-pound White/Hispanic male. Persons with information on Bergen’s whereabouts should contact local police.
