Man charged with murder in Elma

ELMA - The Howard County Sheriff’s Office filed first degree murder charges against Sayvonne Lealbert Eugene Jordan, age 26, of Elma, Iowa on Friday, Jan. 13. 

He was then arrested at the Floyd County Jail, where he was serving time on a probation violation.

Jordan was charged with the murder of Jonathan Henry Esparza, who was last seen leaving his New Hampton residence on the evening of  Oct. 20, 2022. He was on his way to visit a friend in Elma.

Esparza’s vehicle was found on Nov. 11, but he was still considered missing.

On Nov. 20, 2022, the Howard County Sheriff's Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation conducted a search warrant at 808 Main St. in Elma. During the search, human remains were found and sent to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office and were determined to be that of Esparza, age 30.

Also found were 256 grams of marijuana and a small electric scale. Jordan was charged with possession with intent to deliver and violation of the drug tax stamp act and arrested. He posted bond pending trial.

Jordan is currently being held in the Howard County Jail on a $1,000,000 cash bond. 

This homicide investigation is still an ongoing, active investigation. More information will be released at a later date as it becomes available.