POLK COUNTY, Iowa — The Warren County Attorney’s Office announced Friday afternoon that Polk County Supervisor Tom Hockensmith won’t face charges for a dispute between himself and several other county supervisors that occurred back in January.

The reported dispute stemmed from county leaders placing then long-time administrator John Norris on leave. According to a law enforcement report, not long after the announcement, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was called to the administration building for an altercation between board members.

The report states that after learning of Norris being placed on leave and the board’s intent to terminate him, Hockensmith began causing a disturbance, with Chair Matt McCoy claiming that “Supervisor Tom had lost his mind and wanted to fight him [McCoy] and board member Mark Holm.” Deputies also spoke to Holm about the incident, who shared a similar story, according to the report.

At the time, McCoy declined to comment about the specifics of the incident but told WHO 13 that a criminal investigation was underway.

On Friday, over six months after the alleged altercation, the outcome of the investigation was released. The attorney’s office, which was appointed as a special prosecutor, announced that Hockensmith had entered into a deferred prosecution agreement and that no formal charges would be filed. According to the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia, a deferred prosecution agreement, or a DPA, is a voluntary agreement between the prosecution and defendant where criminal charges are dropped so long as certain requirements are met. No additional information about Hockensmith’s agreement was released.

In March, the Board of Supervisors voted to approve a resignation deal for Norris that came with a six-figure price tag.

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