Hillsboro man charged with sexual abuse

By Brooks Taylor, Mt. Pleasant News

A Hillsboro man is in the Henry County Jail on a charge of second-degree sexual abuse.

Todd Sexton, 39, of Hillsboro, was arrested by Henry County Sheriff?s deputies on March 24. The alleged abuse occurred in the 100 block of East Commercial Street in Hillsboro, which is also Sexton?s last known address.

The Henry County Sheriff?s Office, according to Sheriff Rich McNamee, received a call on March 24 from the Ottumwa Police Department alerting them of the alleged abuse.

McNamee said the Ottumwa police became involved because the victim, who was a juvenile, received treatment at the Ottumwa Regional Hospital. McNamee said the accused and the victim were acquaintances. He said he could not disclose the victim?s age or the victim?s place of residence.

Sexual abuse, according to Iowa Code Chapter 709.1, occurs under the following criteria.

? The act is done by force or against the will of the other. If the consent or acquiescence of the other is procured by threats of violence toward any person or if the act is done while the other is under the influence of a drug-inducing sleep, or is otherwise in a state of unconsciousness, the act is done against the will of the other.

? Such person is suffering from a mental defect or incapacity, which precludes giving consent, or lacks the mental capacity to know the right and wrong of conduct in sexual matters.

? Such other person is a child.

Second-degree sexual abuse, a Class B felony, must meet any of the three following circumstances.

? During the commission of sexual abuse, the person displays in a threatening manner a dangerous weapon, or uses or threatens to use force creating a substantial risk of death or serious injury to any person.

? The other person is under the age of 12.

? The person is aided or abetted by one or more persons and the sex act is committed by force or against the will of the other person against whom the sex act is committed.

McNamee said that no other arrests are anticipated in the case.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.