Bex sentenced to nine years

Jason John Bex, 38, of rural Riverside, entered a guilty plea to the crimes of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse causing bodily injury, a Class D felony, and two counts of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor, earlier today to Judge Myron Gookin.

Following the entry of the guilty plea, Bex was sentenced to a nine-year prison term. He was sentence to a term not to exceed five years for the Class D felony and terms not to exceed two years for each of the aggravated misdemeanors. A deputy from the Washington County Sheriff?s office transported Bex to the Washington County Jail. He will be transported to the Iowa Medical and Classification center in Oakdale to begin serving his prison term.

Bex was accused of assaulting three teenagers during 2009 in Washington County. Court records show Bex was arrested in January 2011 and charged with one count of second-degree sexual abuse, three counts of third-degree sexual abuse and one count of indecent exposure.  According to court records, the second-degree sexual abuse charge stemmed from several incidents that took place during 2009. The document said that Bex inappropriately touched a girl who was between 6 and 8 years old. The record said this was done against the girl?s will. One of the third-degree sexual abuse charges alleged Bex inappropriately touched a girl between the ages of 14 and 15. Two other charges of third-degree sexual abuse involved similar incidents. The case of indecent exposure alleges that Bex exposed himself to a minor on Dec. 31, 2008. In all the cases, records say Bex was over four years older than the other subjects.

Washington County Attorney Larry Brock confirmed today that the sentence today was for the charges filed in January 2011.

?We agreed to amend the charges for a plea agreement,? he said.

While in prison, Bex will be required to successfully complete a sex offender treatment program. Upon the expiration of his prison term, Bex will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and will be on parole to the Iowa Department of Corrections for 10 years. He will also not be allowed to own, possess or transport a firearm or offensive weapon.

According to the police log supplied by the Washington County Communications Center, Bex was arrested Monday and charged with tampering with a witness. Brock said that Bex is alleged to have sent a Facebook message to one of the witnesses blaming her for him having to take the plea.