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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Woefully Incomplete Reporting From Iowa


Is Iowa prosecuting an abuser, or a lover? We can't be sure, because as with so many other cases from other places, we're not being given enough information. A report by at kimt.com is headlined with "Alleged Incest in North Iowa."
A north Iowa man has been accused of incest.
45-year-old Todd William Russ of Clear Lake is charged with one count of incest, a class “D” felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of no more than $7,500.
Reading 736.5 in Iowa law, this "crime" appears to be about consensual (to be redundant) sex. However, no other defendant is mentioned, leaving us to wonder how someone can commit this "crime" without anyone else? If he molested or assaulted someone, he should be charged with those crimes.

Authorities say sometime in December, 2014, Russ performed a sex act with someone he knew to be a blood relative.
That shouldn't be a crime. If the person didn't consent, well, that's not a "sex act," that's an assault.


There was also a report by at globegazette that contained the same minimal information.


So the guy's name and picture are posted online, and we have no reason (other than the lack of mention of another defendant) that this was anything but consensual (again, to be redundant) sex. Why should anyone be arrested, tried, fined, and jailed for having sex with other adults?

If this was really a matter of assault, then say so! Is that really so hard?

We have no way of knowing if this is a genetic sibling he'd just met months before, or a child he raised. It's ridiculous. Many other law enforcement agencies and news source give more information without identifying victims. It is possible. Try it!

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