Solon man says he’s not guilty of harassing Regina coaches
The Solon man accused of sending harassing letters last year accusing members of the Regina football team of using steroids said he will plead not guilty to the charges.
Daniel L. Stone, 44, of River Birch Run in Solon, was arrested Wednesday and charged with sending three letters to Iowa City’s Regina Catholic Education Center, 2150 Rochester Ave., on Aug. 9, 2013. The letters claimed that Regina coaches and staff were providing performance enhancing drugs to athletes and Stone allegedly indicated that if his demands — which were not specified by police — were not met, he would take the information to the press. In the letters, he stated he was from a group calling itself Regina Parents for Responsible Athletics, police said.
Police say DNA evidence led to Stone’s arrest, and Stone refused to cooperate with the investigation.
Stone said Thursday that he couldn’t comment on the simple misdemeanor charges against him for harassment and interference with official acts but said he pleaded not guilty.
“I pleaded not guilty this morning and intend to take this to trial,” he said.
According to the Iowa courts website, Stone is scheduled to attend a bench trial Aug. 5 in Johnson County District Court.
Online court documents show that a warrant for Stone’s arrest on the third-degree harassment charge was issued Wednesday.
Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek said in an email that the interference with official acts charge resulted after a scuffle when officers attempted to arrest Stone at his home. The threat of Taser use calmed him down, Pulkrabek said.
Regina Catholic Education Center President Lee Iben was one of the administrators at the school to receive a letter allegedly from Stone last fall.
“We cannot comment on the case at this time because we don’t want to compromise the criminal investigation and prosecution of Mr. Stone,” Iben said Thursday.
Regina football coach Marv Cook said Thursday he could not comment and directed questions to Iben.
Letters were delivered to administrators at schools within Regina’s athletics conference — which includes Durant, Tipton, West Branch, West Liberty and Wilton — along with the Iowa High School Athletic Association and at least one local media outlet.
Iowa City Police Sgt. Scott Gaarde said the investigation into Stone’s claims did not provide any indication that steroid use had occurred among members of the Regina football program.
“Our investigation into this matter did not provide any shred of evidence that these allegations had any validity to them,” Gaarde said.
Solon football coach Kevin Miller confirmed that Stone’s son was a former Solon football player.
“I’m disappointed in the alleged actions and comments made by Dan,” Miller said Thursday. “In no way do his actions represent the view of the Solon coaches, players and anyone associated with our program. We hold the Regina program and community in the highest regard.”
Solon was the last team to defeat Class 1A powerhouse Regina in football. It occurred during the quarterfinals of the 2009 playoffs when former Iowa linebacker James Morris was a senior at Solon. Regina finished 10-2 that season, also losing to Solon during the regular season. Regina has won a state record 56 consecutive games since then, along with four state titles. Solon had won 41 consecutive games when it lost to Regina early in the 2010 season.
Stone was booked into the Johnson County Jail on Wednesday and later released.
A simple misdemeanor charge is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of at least $65 but not to exceed $625.
Press-Citizen reporter Pat Harty contributed to this story.