Newton man sentenced to 20 years in sex abuse case

A Newton man was sentenced in Jasper County District Court Monday to 20 years in prison for several charges of third-degree sexual abuse stemming from an investigation that began in 2015.

Jerry E. Fults, 36, was charged with five counts of third-degree sexual assault on a 12-year-old girl. Fults was ordered to serve two counts consecutively.

District Court Judge Richard Clogg said the court considered the heinous nature of the offenses and the fact that the defendant was a father figure in the home to recommend that Fults serve his sentences consecutively.

Clogg ordered Fults to complete sex abuse counseling treatment, to register on the sex offenders registry and lifetime parole. Fults was also ordered a no-contact order between Fults and the victim for five years.

In a closing statement to the court, assistant county attorney Peter Blink said the victim trusted Fults to be a father figure, and in return, Fults took advantage of the victim continuously.

Fults’ jury trial was waived in March, prompting a sentencing hearing.

Fults was arrested in the 400 block of East 10th Street South following an investigation by the Newton Police Department for abuse that began in September 2015, according to a police report.

The mother of the victim was alerted to the abuse when she walked in on inappropriate contact Fults was making with the victim.

The victim named several instances in which Fults had inappropriate contact with her that spanned nearly one year.

Contact Kayla Langmaid at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or klangmaid@newtondailynews.com