Hunter/Lang
06/10/22
An area transient with a long list of criminal activity is going to prison for allegedly breaking into a residence and trying to sexually assault a woman.
Court records indicate that Judge Andrew Chappell sentenced 53-year-old Gary Leon Duffel II earlier this week. He was charged last summer with 1st Degree Burglary, Assault with Intent to Commit Sexual Abuse and 5th Degree Criminal Mischief. Coralville Police say Duffel forced his way into an apartment on 23rd Avenue just before 12:30am on July 4th with the intent to have sexual intercourse with a woman inside. Duffel then allegedly tried to remove the woman’s clothing against her will. As the woman struggled to get away from him, Duffel allegedly broke a chair.
Duffel later told police that he went to the apartment with the intent of having sex with the woman, but she told police she didn’t know Duffel, and had only met him earlier that evening. Duffel later admitted that he didn’t even know the woman’s name prior to going to her apartment.
In a plea deal, prosecutors dropped the Assault with Intent to Commit Sexual Abuse charge. Duffel was also initially charged with 1st degree Burglary, a Class D Felony, which was reduced to 2nd Degree Burglary. Duffel pleaded down to 3rd Degree Burglary. Judge Chappell sentenced Duffel to the full five years.
If convicted on all the original charges, Duffel would have faced a maximum of over 27 years in prison.