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Three men in custody in Sioux City man's death

By Bret Hayworth, Journal staff writer | Posted: Monday, January 21, 2008
Charges should be set in a few days for the three men allegedly connected to the kidnapping and slaying of a Sioux City man whose body was discovered a mile southeast of Lawton, Iowa, Thursday.

Woodbury County sheriff's deputies found the body of Zachary Paul Cooper, 23, who was shot to death.

The three Sioux City men arrested in connection with Cooper's kidnapping and death are being held in Woodbury County Jail. Sheriff Glenn Parrett said those three are the only persons of interest connected with the homicide.

The first man apprehended, Jeremy Edward Williams, 24, of Sioux City, was arrested Saturday morning and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree robbery.

Ray Kelvin Dukes, 23, of Sioux City, turned himself in to authorities Saturday night, and the sheriff's office Sunday afternoon reported Samuel Montez Wright, 31, of Sioux City had also turned himself in. Earlier, an arrest warrant had been issued for Wright, who was described as armed and dangerous.

Parrett said Dukes and Wright will be arraigned this week and felony charges will be laid out by that time. He explained Dukes was sought on a warrant as a material witness, while the warrant on Wright was on charges similar to those for Williams, including murder, robbery and kidnapping.

"They will have their initial appearance ... this week," Parrett said. "The judge at that time will probably set a preliminary hearing date."

Bond was set at $100,000 for Dukes and $750,000 for Williams and Wright.

Other details, such as the circumstances of the crime, the relationship of the men and motive for the crime, were not available Sunday. Parrett on Saturday said evidence showed Cooper was robbed and kidnapped in Sioux City, before taken to the rural Lawton location and shot.

To date, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Sioux City Police Department, Woodbury County Attorney's Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Division have had a hand in what Parrett called the largest joint investigation with which he's been involved.

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family wrote on Jan 26, 2008 10:42 AM:

" just because the paper makes it out that these people are guilty does not mean they are. What ever happen to inasent until proven guilty. You all form your opinions about these guys not knowing them, just hearing what they are accused of. I for one know Jeremy and believe that he is inasent and the truth will come out. "

Insane wrote on Jan 24, 2008 5:19 PM:

" It's pretty insane how you can take someone's life within the blink of an eye. They had no right to fight him, rob him, kill him, kidknap him none of it!! I hope they get life in prison without parole. Wise up people. Youre not going to be so big and bad behind bars are you? "

here we go again wrote on Jan 24, 2008 3:25 PM:

" This poor guy was murdered and here's DULCE bringing up the race card. Why?? Leave space for the people that want to send their prayers and sympathies! With that said I do send my deepest sympathies and my heartfelt prayers to the family!! May God Bless you and keep you! "

old friend wrote on Jan 24, 2008 11:22 AM:

" i left sioux city cuz i was runnin with the wrong crowd and now when i hear about this it makes me sad. where would my life have gone if i would have stayed there. i was wat u would call "friends" with some of the ppl involved. i give my sympathy to the guy who was killed. and to the others, wut was runnin throu your head.? was it really worth it. All the things you all had going for your life. you just up and threw it away. i have nothing further to say. "

Dulce wrote on Jan 24, 2008 2:01 AM:

" Sioux City needs to do something about the illegals from Mexico that are screwing up our schools, hospitals and jails. Does the border patrol have a tip line? We could tip them off about Dakota Avenue in Tijuana, I mean South Sioux City.
I guess our local politicians are afraid to stand up against Tysen; maybe our federal ones are too!
"

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