Lang
1/17/25
A plea deal has been reached in the case of an Iowa City man accused of providing drugs and alcohol to an underage girl before forcing her to have sex.
Online records show 46-year-old Robert Seals of the Lake Ridge manufactured housing community reached the plea deal late last week. Police say on Noveber 22nd, 2022, Seals and another man began talking with a 13-year-old girl at a convenience store, and she got into a vehicle with them. They went to a different store, where the co-suspect purchased alcohol.
Surveillance video from the store allegedly shows Seals getting into the back seat with the girl. She reported that the two men provided her with drugs and alcohol as they drove around, which led to her being very intoxicated.
The girl says Seals then held her wrists down and forced her to have sex with him while the other man was in the front seat. The men then allegedly switched seats and the other man forced the girl to have sex with him. The minor was then dropped back off at the convenience store.
Lab results on the girl reportedly tested positive for cocaine, and a sexual assault kit found DNA from Seals.
Seals was charged with 2nd Degree Sexual Abuse and Distribution of Drugs to a Minor. If convicted on both counts, he could have been sentenced to up to 50 years in prison.
Terms of the plea deal have not been released. Sentencing is set for February 3rd.