Passenger sentenced in Morningside pursuit case

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — A man has been sentenced to prison in connection with a pursuit in the Morningside neighborhood back in February.

On Thursday, July 18, Howker Ludwig, 22, of Sioux City pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm, a class D felony, and assault on a peace officer, a serious misdemeanor. That same day, the court accepted his plea agreement and sentenced Ludwig to five years in prison. He will also have to pay $2,754 in fines and surcharges.

According to court documents, on the early morning of Feb. 20, 2024, Ludwig was a passenger in a car driven by Threeten Sirom, 29, of Sioux City. Officials said that Sirom was detected as driving 83 mph in a 65 mph zone on Highway 20. He then allegedly went through the Morningside neighborhood and reached speeds of over 100 mph in a 35 mph zone.

Sirom led officials through the neighborhood before pulling into an alley and crashing into a shed and coming to a stop in a backyard, court documents say. He then allegedly fled on foot and resisted arrest, but was eventually taken into custody.

Ludwig also fled the scene and was later located on South Lakeport Street. Officials said Ludwig displayed signs of intoxication. Officials also found a .22 revolver in Ludwig’s pocket. Ludwig is a convicted felon and is not allowed to possess a firearm.

Officials said that while arresting Ludwig, he allegedly attempted to kick an officer. Open containers of alcohol were also found in the vehicle, they said.

Ludwig was initially charged with control of a firearm by a felon, a class D felony; assault on a person in a certain occupation, a serious misdemeanor; public intoxication, a simple misdemeanor; two counts of interference with official acts, simple misdemeanors; and failure to use safety belts. Several of these charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

Meanwhile, Sirom was charged with eluding at speeds of over 25 mph, subsequent offense, a class C felony; second-degree criminal mischief, a class D felony; and operating a vehicle while under the influence, a serious misdemeanor. He pleaded not guilty, and a trial is scheduled for Oct. 8, 2024.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.