Bond set for local transient awaiting sentencing in attempted sexual assault case

Lang
4/7/22

Bond has been set at $10,000 for a local transient awaiting sentencing in an attempted sexual assault case.

Judge Chad Kepros set the bail amount for 53-year-old Gary Leon Duffel II at a special hearing on Wednesday. Duffel 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.

If convicted on all the original charges, Duffel would have faced a maximum of over 27 years in prison.

Court records show that as part of a plea deal, the charges have been changed to 2nd Degree Burglary and Assault with Intent to Commit Sexual Abuse…two charges which carry a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.

A sentencing hearing is set for June 6th.