Columbus Junction man accused of having indecent contact with Iowa City teen waives right to speedy trial

Lang
2/25/23

A Louisa County man facing charges that he had indecent contact with a teenage Iowa City girl has waived his right to a speedy trial.

53-year-old Lance Thomas of Columbus Junction is accused of having inappropriate contact on multiple occasions in 2021 with a girl who was between the ages of 13 and 15. The alleged victim told investigators that on different occasions Thomas would inappropriately touch her, and on some occasions climb into bed with her. Witnesses reported seeing Thomas in bed with the girl on multiple occasions, and the girl’s mother reported that on one occasion she pulled the sheets off and noticed Thomas was semi-erect when she grabbed his groin.

Thomas is charged with Assault With Intent to Commit Sexual Abuse, Indecent Contact With A Child and four counts of Lascivious Conduct With A Minor. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum of eight years in prison.

On Friday, Judge Jason Burns set a new hearing for March 20th.