Former Clarksville Police Officer Denied Again in Request for Change of Venue

A former north Iowa police officer, facing almost a dozen counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, has been denied again in request for a change of venue for his trial.

Former Clarksville Police officer Michael Tobin is accused of showing sexually explicit images and videos from a pending criminal case to a minor under 18 between September 2021 and February 2022. After the minor reported the activity in March 2022, Tobin was fired by the City of Clarksville, and he was arrested September 1, 2022.

Tobin has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts and eight aggravated misdemeanor counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. His trial is currently scheduled to begin October 10th in Butler County District Court, where it will remain. 

In February, defense counsel first filed for change of venue citing extensive negative media publicity and his being a former Clarksville Police officer as factors against finding a fair and impartial jury in Butler County. After a hearing, a judge denied the request.

Last week, Tobin’s attorney Nellie O’Mara filed a new motion for a change of venue on similar grounds plus claims that Tobin’s name has come up in most of her criminal cases set in Butler County since the time she was appointed to represent him. They sought having the trial moved to Mitchell County since Tobin has family connections in the area.

Thursday (09.21), a hearing to consider the second request for a change of venue was held with the outcome the same as the first: motion denied.