District Court hands down sentences in sex abuse cases

Two men facing charges of sexual abuse have been sentenced in Cerro Gordo County District Court.

District Judge James Drew sentenced 24-year-old David Powell, of Mason City, to up to 10 years in prison on one count of sexual abuse in the third degree, a Class C felony.  A $1,000 fine was 

suspended.  Powell was also sentenced to up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of lascivious acts with a child, a Class D felony.

The sentences will run consecutively.

Powell also received a special sentence placing him on parole for the rest of his life. As part of the special sentence, he must register as a sex offender for life.

The charges stemmed from incidents on July 28 and Aug. 4 involving a 13-year-old girl. Powell showed up at a local motel thinking he was going to be meeting a 13-year-old Clear Lake girl for sex; instead he was met by police when he entered the motel room.   The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the sting.  - Read More Via e-Edition