2nd man arrested in attack at congressman's farm

[July 20, 2011]  LEON, Iowa (AP) -- Police announced Tuesday night they arrested a second man in connection with a weekend home invasion at the southern Iowa farmhouse of U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety said police arrested David Palmer Dewberry, 20, in Independence, Mo. Dewberry, who is from Fremont, Neb., is being held in Missouri on a federal warrant.

Earlier Tuesday, authorities arrested Cody John Rollins, 19, of Lamoni, Iowa.

Both men face charges related to a Saturday night invasion at Boswell's rural home near Lamoni.

Authorities said a man with a BB gun that looked like a firearm entered the congressman's house and attacked his daughter. Boswell fought with the man, and as they scuffled, his 22-year-old grandson got a shotgun. When Boswell's grandson pointed the gun at the intruder, he ran off.

Boswell, a 77-year-old Democrat, suffered minor injuries, but no one was seriously hurt.

Authorities said that when Dewberry is returned to Iowa, he would be charged with first-degree burglary, assault while participating in a felony, going armed with intent and three counts of first degree robbery. Rollins already has been charged with those offenses.

Rollins was being held on $50,000 bond, and a lawyer hadn't yet been named. It wasn't clear if Dewberry had a lawyer.

Officials said Dewberry was the man who entered the house, while Rollins was his driver.

"They were looking for money," Decatur Country Sheriff Herbert Muir said at a news conference. "Within an hour of it happening, we had some names."

Dewberry and his family lived in Lamoni for a time before moving to Nebraska, and his mother was friendly with Boswell's wife and he had been to the Boswell home, Muir said. Although the gun used in the home invasion turned out to be a BB gun, it resembled a pistol, he said.

FBI Special Agent Barry Ferguson said officials have interviewed Rollins but don't yet have the full story of what went on. They are continuing to investigate. He said the Boswells are well-liked in the community, and police quickly began receiving tips.

"It's obvious this community was outraged by this," Ferguson said. "Good people stepped forward with information."

Boswell issued a statement Tuesday afternoon thanking police for their quick work.

"With today's new developments, I know my family and my neighbors around the farm will rest easier," Boswell said. "I have returned to my job in Washington and I am confident in the authorities handling the investigation back in Iowa."

Boswell's official residence is in Des Moines, where he moved after redistricting in 2000 tossed him into an overwhelmingly Republican district. However, he kept his farm about 60 miles south of Des Moines and visits often.

Boswell could well face another political scuffle this year after redistricting tossed Republican Reps. Steve King and Tom Latham into the same western Iowa district. Latham has announced plans to move to central Iowa and run against Boswell, who already announced his bid for re-election.

[Associated Press; By MIKE GLOVER]

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