A Newton man charged with third-degree sexual abuse has pleaded not guilty and a jury trial has been scheduled for October.
Cecil W. Williamson, 50, was charged Aug. 10 following a Jasper County Sheriff’s Office investigation. According to court documents, Williamson allegedly waved down a woman’s car in rural Jasper County, jumped into her vehicle and then forced several sex acts on her.
Williamson, who demanded a speedy trial, is scheduled for a pre-trial conference on Sept. 12 and a jury trial on Oct. 5.
According to court documents, the victim said she was traveling westbound on Highway F48 when a man walking along the roadway jumped in front of her car and began waving his arms and yelling. The victim had her windows and sunroof open and Williamson was able to get into her car. She asked him to get out of her vehicle, but Williamson demanded she drive him to the Lion’s Den adult entertainment store parking lot, where he allegedly forced her to perform oral sex.
Williamson then forced the victim to drive to his nearby home where the victim said she was repeatedly and violently raped by Williamson. Court records do not make clear how the victim was able to escape from the home. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office declined additional comment on the case.
The victim said Williamson had recently moved to the area from Georgia for a tree trimming job.
In a written request for a bond hearing filed Monday, Williamson said, “I’ve not committed any such crime.” He also claims to own a business in Newton and have a baby on the way with his girlfriend.
He’s being held on a $300,000 bond at the Jasper County Jail.
Third-degree sexual abuse is a Class C Felony. If convicted, Williamson faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Contact Abigail Pelzer at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or apelzer@newtondailynews.com