March 19, 2024

Trial date set for kidnapping, sex abuse case

A Newton man facing charges of kidnapping and third-degree sexual abuse is set to appear for a jury trial next month after an incident in August in rural Jasper County.

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, jumped into her vehicle and then forced several sex acts on her.

Williamson, who pleaded not guilty, is scheduled for a jury trial March 29.

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, 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 $2 million bond at the Jasper County Jail.

Contact Kayla Langmaid at
641-792-3121 ext. 6513
or klangmaid@newtondailynews.com