A Coon Rapids man has filed a request with the Iowa District Court for Carroll County to be released based on the risk of being infected with the COVID-19 virus while incarcerated in the Carroll County jail. Twenty-seven-year-old Joshua Alexander Greene has been held at the jail since March 12, following a probation revocation hearing. The court had ordered him to serve time at a residential treatment facility, but there were no openings. His attorney has said, “There is an increase risk of someone coming in to the jail and spreading the covid 19 virus to other individuals being held at the Carroll County jail.” Another motion has also been filed, this one by Carroll County Attorney, John Werden, seeking a denial of this request. His response says, “Defendant is in a no risk of fatality category as there are no documented cases of anyone under the age of 30 in the entire world who has died from COVID-19.” He also says it is highly likely that if contracted, his symptoms would be minimal as he has no underlying conditions and, in the unlikely event he does exhibit symptoms, he may actually be able to get better medical care than if released. Finally, the request for summary denial says the risk is high that Greene may flee if released as he has a history of non-compliance with prior court-ordered restrictions. Greene was arrested on two separate dates for incidents in Coon Rapids. The first occurred on July 10, 2019, when Greene kicked in the door at a family member’s home and threatened the life of one of the occupants. On Jan. 22 of this year, Greene again damaged the door at a residence in the same neighborhood and then slashed all four tires on a neighbor’s vehicle.
