DAVENPORT, IA – Timothy Demuth, 51, of Plymouth, Minnesota, learned on May 16, 2013, that obstructing justice – even in a moment of parental frustration – carries consequences. Demuth was sentenced in federal court to one year of probation for intentionally impeding and intimidating an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) following the sentencing of his son, Scott Demuth.
The incident unfolded February 14, 2011, after Scott Demuth received his sentence in criminal case number 09-CR-00117 before the Southern District of Iowa. According to court documents, Timothy Demuth didn’t take the outcome well. He physically bumped shoulders with the AUSA prosecuting his son, then deliberately positioned himself to block the prosecutor’s exit from the courtroom. The act wasn’t a random collision; it was a calculated effort to obstruct and intimidate.
Demuth attempted to downplay the event at sentencing, with both he and his wife claiming no intent to make physical contact. However, United States District Court Judge John A. Jarvey found the AUSA’s account – detailing both the bump and Demuth “squaring off” against the prosecutor – far more credible. The courtroom testimony painted a clear picture of deliberate interference, not a grieving father’s clumsy stumble.
Judge Jarvey didn’t mince words. He declared the offense a direct attack on the “integrity of the judicial system,” emphasizing that all those involved – judges, attorneys, and court staff – must be able to perform their duties without fear of intimidation. The judge explicitly rejected the argument that familial stress excused Demuth’s actions, stating the crime was “very serious.”
Beyond the one-year probation, Demuth was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service, pay a $2000 fine, and cover a $25 special assessment fee. While some may see the sentence as lenient, the court’s strong rebuke sends a clear message: interfering with the administration of justice will not be tolerated. This case highlights the lengths to which some will go to protect their family, and the firm line drawn against crossing into criminal behavior.
The case was handled by Northern District of Iowa Assistant United States Attorney Richard L. Murphy, with the investigation led by the United States Marshals Service. Court file information, including case number 12-CR-00105, can be found at https://ecf.iasd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. Grimy Times will continue to follow federal cases impacting the heartland.
Related Federal Cases
- Koenck Gets 30 Years for Exploiting a Child · Minnesota
- Fugitive Parra-Rosales Gets a Year for Skipping Prison · Minnesota
- Sioux Center Meth Dealer Lopez-Granillo Gets 6+ Years · Minnesota
- 67 Pounds of Ice: Beteme Gets 10 Years · Minnesota
- Jason Fagin Gets 65 Months for Check Fraud, Meth Payoffs · Minnesota
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Public CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic Corruption