Two offenders charged with attempted murder in ISP attacks

FORT MADISON, Iowa - The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has filed criminal charges against Dennis Lawson, 29, and Anthony Bauer, 23. Both are inmates at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. Lawson and Bauer are each charged with two counts of Attempted Murder (Class B felony) and one count of Possession of Weapons in a Correctional Institution (Class C felony). The charges stem from a January 21, 2026, assault on two Department of Corrections (DOC) employees.
 The custody of Lawson and Bauer has been managed in accordance with established DOC procedures.

 The injured employees were treated at a local hospital and have since been released.
 The DCI was assisted in this investigation by the DOC, Lee County Attorney’s Office, and the Fort Madison Police Department.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.