Iowa City man pleads guilty to ramming Scheels with SUV

An Iowa City man has pleaded guilty to ramming his SUV through the front doors of Scheels All Sports last December.

Joseph A. Moreno, 24, pleaded guilty to criminal mischief, a Class C felony, for causing more than $10,000 damage at Scheels on Dec. 29. He also pleaded guilty to intimidation with a dangerous weapon, a Class D felony, for shooting a firearm in an occupied apartment.

Moreno also plans to enter written guilty pleas to charges of drunken driving and carrying weapons, his attorney said. Moreno could spend a maximum of 18 years in prison. Sentencing is set for Jan. 6.

As part of a plea deal, the Johnson County Attorney's Office dismissed charges of first-degree burglary and second-degree kidnapping.

Moreno was accused of firing his 9mm handgun inside his apartment early Dec. 29 and then driving drunk to Scheels, where he drove his 2002 Ford Explorer through the glass doors. Moreno smashed a glass case containing ammunition and firearms before “dry firing” several weapons, police reported.

It took police several hours to locate Moreno in the store and take him safely into custody. More than a dozen law enforcement agencies responded to the incident.

Moreno entered Alford pleas to criminal mischief and intimidation, which means he doesn't admit guilt, but acknowledges a judge or jury would likely find him guilty of the crimes.