Former central Iowa officer wanted after threatening to kill wife, in-laws, records show

Tyler J. Davis | The Des Moines Register

Show Caption Hide Caption Explaining domestic abuse Melissa Brockie, director of New Day Centers at UMOM in Phoenix, Ariz., details domestic violence or interpersonal violence. She explains its warning signs and resources available to victims. Nick Serpa/azcentral

Update: Jonathan Wayne Bailey has been captured, police say.

Authorities are asking for the public's help finding a former Iowa detention officer who has allegedly threatened to kill himself, his wife and her parents, court records show.

Grinnell police are searching for Jonathan Wayne Bailey, 34, on charges of violating a no-contact order, first-degree harassment and stalking, according to a Tuesday news release from the department. Bailey was a detention officer at the Polk County Jail from January 2008 until his resignation in August 2011, a spokesman with the county sheriff's office said. He is also reported to have worked at the Eagle Grove Police Department. A call to the department for confirmation was not immediately returned.

Authorities began investigating the man Nov. 7 after "multiple children" came forward with allegations of sexual assault, the complaint states.

In the following weeks, Bailey alternated between threats of harm against himself and harm against others, police say. On Nov. 10, three days later after the abuse investigation began, police say Bailey apologized to his wife and said he would kill himself.

That conversation violated a no-contact order issued Oct. 25, according to the complaint.

A warrant was then issued for his arrest. More than a week after the sexual misconduct investigation began, Bailey again contacted his wife on Friday, police say, threatening her and their children.

"The defendant told (his wife) that she had taken everything from him," the complaint states. "The defendant also asked (his wife) which one of her parents she wanted dead first. (The woman) had tears in her eyes and was shaking during while speaking to me about this."

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His wife fears Bailey, the complaint says, and at one point left the state to further avoid him.

"The defendant has allegedly told (his wife) in the past that if anyone messed with his family that he would sniff them out and kill them," the complaint states. "The defendant has told multiple people that he is contemplating suicide, as he won't go to prison."

Bailey stands 5-foot-8 and weighs about 180 pounds. He may be driving a light blue or gray 2007 Dodge Charger with Iowa license plate "INB-962." Anyone with information about Bailey can contact the Grinnell Police Department at 641-236-2670 or the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-877-WANTED2 (1-877-926-8332).

Follow the Register on Facebook and Twitter for more news. Tyler Davis can be contacted at tjdavis@dmreg.com or on Twitter @TDavisDMR.

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