Lang
6/29/23
A North Liberty man convicted of sex crimes against two different minors has been sentenced to 80 years in prison.
According to a news release from the Johnson County Sheriff’s office, on May 5th 43-year-old Thomas Jesse of Locust Ridge Road was found guilty of 40 counts of 2nd Degree Sexual Abuse. Sentencing took place on Friday, June 23rd.
Investigators say Jesse was in possession of a laptop that contained video of him perform sex acts on a six-year-old. The computer and other electronic devices were seized, and police say numerous videos recorded between March of 2020 and July of 2021 show Jesse involved in sex acts with the child.
Jesse also pleaded guilty to a separate count of Lascivious Acts with a Child involving a 15-year-old victim. Police say Jesse asked the child to perform a sex act on him sometime between January 1st and June 1st of 2013. Jesse was allegedly exposed at the time of the incident. The five-year sentence for that charge will run consecutively with the other cases. Judge Andrew Chappell sentenced Jesse to 25 years in prison for three of the counts, to be served consecutively, while the remaining 37 counts will run concurrently.
Prosecutors had recommended a 125-year sentence given the severity of the crimes and their impact on the victims.
Jesse must serve 70% of each 25-year sentence before being eligible for parole. If released, he will be subject to lifetime sex offender registry requirements and lifetime parole.