Muscatine County Jury Finds Iowa City Man Guilty of Sexual Abuse

Today, March 28, 2018, a Muscatine County jury returned a guilty verdict against CARLOS AUGUSTO RAMIREZ LOPEZ, 40, of Iowa City, for the offense of sexual abuse in the second degree. The trial began Monday, March 26, 2018. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning their verdict.

The case was investigated by the West Liberty Police Department. The incident occurred in September, 2011. The evidence at trial demonstrated that RAMIREZ LOPEZ performed a sex act against a nine-year-old girl.

The defendant faces a mandatory sentence of incarceration for a term not to exceed 25 years. He will be required to serve 17.5 years of the sentence before being eligible for parole. He will be on lifetime supervised release as if on parole following the completion of his prison sentence. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. The defendant is being held without bond in the Muscatine County Jail awaiting a sentencing hearing on May 4, 2018, at 9:00 a.m.

"I would like to thank the jury for their service in this case" said Muscatine County Attorney Alan R. Ostergren, who prosecuted the case. "I would also like to thank West Liberty Police Department Capt. Michael Meier in particular for his work on the investigation" he added.

The defendant's mugshot:

Prison sentence for sexual abuse of child

Today, March 9, 2018, in Muscatine County District Court:

BRADLEY ALEXANDER GRIFFIN, 38, of Clinton, Indiana was sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of lascivious acts with a child. An investigation by the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office showed that GRIFFIN had sexually touched a child under the age of 14 and had solicited further sexual touching from the same child. GRIFFIN was sentenced to an indeterminate term of not to exceed 15 years. Upon completion of his prison sentence he will be on supervised release as if on parole for the remainder of his life. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

GRIFFIN's mugshot:

In another matter, RUSTY WAYNE WADDEN, 29, of Atalissa was sentenced after pleading guilty to eluding, driving while barred, and possession of a controlled substance. WADDEN attempted to elude a Muscatine County Sheriff's Office deputy and ultimately crashed his vehicle in the 300 block of Roscoe Avenue in Muscatine. The Court sentenced WADDEN to an indeterminate term of not to exceed seven years.

WADDEN's mugshot:

Muscatine man pleads guilty to sexual abuse

Today, March 2, 2018, in Muscatine County District Court:

OLIVER JOHN VERNE, 45, of Muscatine, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse in the third degree. The charge against him was from an investigation conducted by the Muscatine Police Department. VERNE waived his right to a delay and proceeded immediately to sentencing. The court imposed a prison sentence for a term not to exceed 10 years. In addition he will be on supervised release as if on parole for the remainder of his life when he completes the prison sentence. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

VERNE's mugshot: