Kattenberg receives suspended sentence in Iowa shootings

 

A Brandon woman was placed on probation for her role in two drive-by shootings at unoccupied homes in northwest Iowa 13 months ago. 

Artis Kattenberg, 51, was sentenced to seven years of suspended jail time in Lyon and Sioux (Iowa) county courts last week. She was charged with criminal mischief and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Sioux County, and criminal mischief, aiding and abetting and reckless use of a firearm in Lyon County.

Kattenberg is prohibited from purchasing guns and having contact with Netherlands Reformed Church in Rock Valley, Iowa or its members, and she is required to comply with all conditions of her mental health treatment. 

She was credited for the 293 days she served in Minnehaha County Jail.

Kattenberg was arrested at her Brandon home on Dec. 27, 2017, and charged with abuse and cruelty to a minor. Her son, Nicholas, then 16, was taken into protective custody.

In her initial court appearance in January of 2018, Kattenberg pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

She was sentenced in Minnehaha County Court on Oct. 15 on the child abuse charge. A Minnehaha County Court judge accepted Kattenberg’s no contest plea and sentenced her to five years of probation, with seven years of jail time suspended. 

She was arrested on the Iowa charges Oct. 19 and transported to Lyon County Jail. 

Brandon police worked with Minnehaha County authorities, Lyon and Sioux County police, the FBI, Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on the investigation, which stemmed from two drive-by shootings Dec. 17 and Dec. 24, 2017 in northwest Iowa. 

Police found approximately 80 guns, ammunition and tactical gear in the search warrant of Kattenberg’s home and received witness reports from Netherlands Reformed Church members and others of threats made by Kattenberg and her son and disturbing behavior.