4/20/2026

IRON COUNTY - Following Charles Maslanka's April 2nd conviction in Iron County for false imprisonment, battery, and disorderly conduct, defense attorney Joe Rafferty Jr. moved for a new trial, alleging constitutional violations. Rafferty claims jury foreman Jason Roberts, who allegedly misrepresented himself as a former police officer and task force member, prejudiced the jury by falsely claiming Maslanka had a prior prison term for the same offense, in violation of judicial instructions. On April 13th, Rafferty filed a second motion alleging Roberts concealed law enforcement ties and "highly prejudicial outside information" during jury selection, requesting Roberts be held in contempt for "sabotaging the judicial process," a pre-evidentiary hearing, and an independent investigation.