Several high-profile criminal trials are expected to begin over the next few months, including alleged money laundering, sexual misconduct, fraud and attempted murder.
Court records indicate that several cases may be resolved via plea deals before they reach trial. The trial dates are accurate as of Thursday, Jan. 22.
Here are four Johnson County criminal trials to keep an eye on in 2026:
Fraud case heads to trial after public Bread Garden arrest by ICE in Iowa City
Jorge Elieser González Ochoa was publicly arrested by plainclothes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at Bread Garden Market in late September. Two weeks later, a federal grand jury indicted him for fraudulent use of immigration and social security documents.
Gonzalez was in custody for more than three months before he was released on Saturday, Jan. 10. He is set to face a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa on March 2.
Former UI therapist faces 14 sexual exploitation charges
Former University of Iowa therapist James Burkhalter is scheduled to go on trial in the Iowa District Court for Johnson County on 14 felony charges of sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist.
Burkhalter allegedly had sex with one of his patients during several appointments, according to a criminal complaint. He was fired in May 2022, several months after denying the patient’s allegations. His trial is set for Feb. 10.
Iowa City Spa owners go to trial for money laundering, prostitution charges
Zhenshi Liu, 61, and Junping Ren, 56, were arrested in September for alleged money laundering, criminal conduct, pandering for prostitution and pimping. The pair operated Paradise Spa in Iowa City.
Liu was charged with an additional count of third-degree sexual abuse after an alleged inappropriate encounter with a customer in May 2025. The pair is currently scheduled to go on trial on March 3.
Iowa City teens face attempted murder charges
Nathaniel Washington, 17, and Moayed Elsid, who turns 18 on Jan. 23, have each been charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a felon after an Aug. 3, 2025, shooting that left four people wounded.
Police responded to the 600 Block of Court Street on Aug. 3 and found one person shot in the stomach. They were taken for emergency surgery, police said.
Elsid previously pleaded guilty to a stabbing at West High School.
He is scheduled to go on trial on March 24, while Washington is set for a May 12 trial.
Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X @ryanhansen01.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Attempted murder and money laundering. Iowa City trials to watch in 2026
Reporting by Ryan Hansen, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
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