Rock Rapids, Iowa — According to the Lyon County Clerk of Court’s Office, a Lyon County jury has reached a verdict of “Guilty” in the case of an Inwood man who pled not guilty to felony sex charges.
The trial of 41-year old Perry Vande Kieft began Tuesday morning with jury selection, and the attorneys for both sides gave their opening statements. According to the Lyon County Clerk of Court’s office, after the evidence was presented on Wednesday morning, (April 5th) closing statements were given in the afternoon. The jury reached their guilty verdict by mid-day on Thursday, April 6th.
According to court records, 41-year-old Perry Vande Kieft of Inwood was accused of having sexual contact with an 11-year-old girl in the spring of 2015 and again in February or March of 2016 at Vande Kieft’s home.
Charges filed against Vande Kieft included two counts of sexual abuse in the second degree, which is a class B felony; as well as indecent contact with a child and possession of a controlled substance – marijuana. Vande Kieft’s lawyer asked that the marijuana charge not be tried with this case as it was unrelated. The court granted the request. The prosecution moved to dismiss the second count of sexual abuse and the count of indecent contact with a child.
Vande Kieft was convicted of the remaining charge of sexual abuse in the second degree, a class B felony. Since it is a Class B felony, Vande Kieft faces a possible sentence of 25 years in prison, according to Iowa Code. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
