Pre-trial conference this afternoon for sex offender charged with felonies after slamming car into Diamond Post Office

A 1:30 p.m. pre-trial conference is scheduled today in Newton County Circuit Court for Mason Vang, 22, Webster City, Iowa,  a registered sex offender who faces felony charges of assaulting a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest.

Vang was arrested June 23, 2017 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 three years ago of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse.