Tama County Sheriff's Office

09/02/2026

𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐘 𝟑𝟎𝐓𝐇 𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐂 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐓

On July 30, the Tama County Sheriff’s Office released information regarding a search warrant executed in Toledo as part of an investigation involving the online sexual exploitation of children. At that time, we said additional information would be released when we could responsibly do so. We are now able to provide an update.

As a result of the investigation, Ronald Wyatt Langbecker Jr., 19, was arrested and charged with 10 counts of Purchasing or Possessing Depiction of a Minor in a S*x Act, First Offense.

The allegations contained in the criminal complaints are extremely disturbing. We are intentionally not going to describe them further. There is no benefit to publicly repeating graphic and disturbing allegations involving children. There are victims, families, and innocent people to consider as well.

We also have to be mindful that this case has now moved into the court system. These are allegations that have not been proven, and Langbecker is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. What we say publicly can reach potential jurors, and we will not risk unnecessarily affecting the judicial process. Justice needs to be based on the evidence presented in court.

Most importantly, we want to recognize the men and women of Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, who led this investigation from the beginning. Our office assisted after becoming an ICAC affiliate while this investigation was already underway.

The work these investigators do cannot be overstated. They routinely have to see and examine some of the most vile and disturbing evidence imaginable involving the exploitation of children. They do it because somebody has to identify victims, follow the evidence, and investigate these crimes. It is difficult, necessary, and incredibly important work. They deserve tremendous credit for what they do every day, much of which the public will never see or hear about.

We also thank the Toledo IA Police Dept and the other law enforcement partners who assisted with this investigation.

Criminal charges have been filed, and the matter will now proceed through the judicial process. To protect the integrity of the pending prosecution, the Tama County Sheriff’s Office will not provide additional information at this time.

Sheriff Casey Schmidt
Tama County Sheriff’s Office

09/01/2026

08/30/2026

The City of Clutier requested that we pass this along to the community — please read the flyer! They need volunteers!

08/26/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 - 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐄𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞. 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫.

This morning, August 26, 2026, the Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Nathan Wiggle, who had warrants out of Illinois and tried to hide out in Iowa. The Task Force put in the work to track him down and make the arrest happen. We were glad to assist.

The Task Force is made up of many law enforcement agencies with one job in mind. Find fugitives, including mainly violent offenders, and get them into custody. That is exactly what happened today.

The Iowa State Patrol and members of the Iowa State Patrol Tactical Team supported the operation. The State Patrol Tac Team brought their Bearcat to keep officers and neighbors safe while the arrest was made. Nathan was found at a home south of Tama and taken into custody without issues.

Law enforcement does not give fugitives a place to hide. If you run, we work together until you are found. We usually win the hide and seek game, and we did today.

We were glad to help the United States Marshals Service and the Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force get this individual in jail and off the street. That is the job, and it got done. Great work by all agencies involved.

Sheriff Casey Schmidt
Tama County Sheriff's Office

08/25/2026

We’re launching something this school year that we believe will be pretty special.

𝐁𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 is a new community supported program created by the Tama County Sheriff’s Office to recognize K–8 students who show the kind of character that too often goes unnoticed.

The student who stands up for someone else. The one who owns a mistake. The kid who helps someone without being asked. The student who shows respect, takes responsibility, leads by example, or consistently treats people the way we hope people will treat one another.

That is what this program is about. Championing good character, good choices, and good human behavior that deserves to be noticed and encouraged.

It isn’t about grades, sports, popularity, or being a perfect student. For parents, it means there are a whole lot of ways your child can be recognized for the kind of person they are becoming. One great moment can absolutely matter, and so can simply showing good character day after day. Consistent good character deserves to be recognized too.

We have been working with the schools that serve Tama County students to get everyone on the same page and make sure this program reaches kids throughout our county, regardless of which school district they attend.

One of the most important parts of 𝐁𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 is that we want it to truly be a community program. The Sheriff’s Office created it, but the goal has always been to have our local businesses, organizations, families, and community members standing behind these kids right along with us.

Sheriff Schmidt recently sent letters to local businesses and organizations about supporting the program. If you didn’t receive one and would like to be involved, or you simply see this and think, this is something I want to support, please reach out to Sheriff Schmidt. There are several ways to be part of it.

A recent news story also shares more about how the program came together and what we hope it becomes. You can find the link pinned in the comments.

We spend plenty of time hearing about what young people do wrong.

𝐁𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 is our chance to make a big deal about what they do right.

We’re excited to see where this goes!

08/20/2026

🚌 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊!

School is starting back up, which means buses and kids will be back on our roads.

Take a minute to look over this graphic from the Iowa DOT. It’s a simple reminder of when you are required to stop for a school bus.

Slow down. Pay attention. Give buses plenty of room.

A few extra seconds can make all the difference.

Let’s keep our kids safe this school year! 🚌

08/19/2026

Know someone who would make a great dispatcher? Tama County, Iowa 911 Communications is hiring. Help spread the word!

Apply for the 911 Communications Public Safety Telecommunicator position with Tama County. Learn how to apply and view a job description along with the role's requirements.

08/17/2026

⚠️Please Share⚠️

08/13/2026

🐾 K9 Kaya is stealing hearts at the Iowa State Fair!

K9 Kaya and Deputy Wall are down at the Fair with Sheriff Schmidt today, hanging out at the Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association booth.

If you’re at the Fair, come say hi, meet Kaya, and grab a picture with us! At the booth till 5pm!

And if you’re from Tama County, we especially want to see you. Let’s see how many pictures we can get with Tama County residents before the day is over!

Come find us at the ISSDA booth! Kaya will be waiting! 🐕‍🦺

08/11/2026

𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆

This happened to Sheriff Schmidt this morning at the intersection of HWY E36 and HWY V18 near Clutier.

A vehicle traveling north on HWY V18 went through the stop sign and directly into his path on HWY E36. The other driver didn’t hit the brakes until they saw Sheriff Schmidt’s vehicle. Thankfully, Sheriff Schmidt was paying attention and was able to brake in time. It was way to close.

The driver was stopped and cited for the stop sign violation.

We receive a lot of complaints about people not stopping at this intersection. With all of the road construction and detours going on right now, we also know a lot of people are traveling roads they normally don’t and relying on GPS to get where they’re going.

GPS tells you where to go. It doesn’t replace paying attention to the road. Stop signs, intersections, other vehicles, and changing road conditions still require your attention.

There’s another part of this that is just as important: 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲. Having the right-of-way doesn’t mean the other vehicle is going to stop. Watch what other drivers are doing and give yourself a chance to react when they don’t.

Had Sheriff Schmidt not been paying attention, this would have been a much different video.

𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀. 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆.