Hearing set for Iowa sex offender charged with assaulting Newton County deputy

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday in Newton County Circuit Court for an Iowa sex offender facing felony charges of assaulting a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest.

Mason Vang, 21, Webster City, Iowa, was arrested June 23 following a high speed chase that ended when he crashed into the Diamond Post Office.

Newton County Sheriff Chris Jennings told KZRG that the chase began when a deputy tried to make a traffic stop at I-49 and V Highway. Vang turned on to Cortez Lane, a dead end. When the deputy got out of his car, Vang backed up and rammed the car.

The crash in Diamond did structural damage to the post office, the adjacent Community Bank and Trust building and a fire hydrant was snapped off causing damage to the water main, according to the Diamond Fire Protection District's Facebook page.

According to the Iowa Sex Offender Registry, Vang was convicted two years ago of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse.