Newton brothers plead not guilty in sex abuse case

Two Newton men who are facing multiple sex abuse charges following their arrest last month pleaded not guilty in Jasper County District Court.

Shawn D. Cooper, 41, and Dustin W. Cooper, 39, are accused of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl over the course of several months, according to the NPD. The two men were arrested Aug. 25 following an investigation that began in March.

Shawn and Dustin Cooper pleaded not guilty Sept. 5, prompting a trial date of Oct. 18.

Shawn Cooper is accused of sexually abusing the victim 16 times during the summer of 2016 at his Newton residence and at the residence of his brother, Dustin Cooper.

Investigators also allege that between December 2016 and March 2017, Dustin Cooper had sexually abused the same victim five times and committed lascivious acts with the victim six times at his Newton residence.

Dustin Cooper was charged with five counts of second-degree sexual abuse, a class B felony, and six counts of lascivious acts with a minor a class C felony.

Shawn Cooper was charged with 16 counts of second-degree sexual abuse, a class B felony.

Dustin Cooper is being held at the Jasper County Jail at a $135,000 bond. Shawn Cooper has a $375,000 bond.