Former Four Oaks counselor gets probation for kissing teen client

A 24-year-old former Four Oaks youth counselor who kissed a 16-year-old boy was given a deferred judgment Friday, which requires her to register as a sex offender but doesn't include a 10-year special parole.

Amanda Jones, formerly of Cedar Rapids who now lives Monona, was sentenced in Linn County District Court to two years of probation for her conviction in September on a charge of sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist, a serious misdemeanor.

Jones kissed a 16-year-old who was in residential treatment at Four Oaks in 2008.

She was also ordered to complete any sex offender treatment as directed by the Department of Corrections, and to have no contact with the victim.

Mark Brown, Jones' attorney, asked the judge for the deferred judgment, saying it was appropriate based on her lack of prior criminal history and the 10-year special parole, which he termed "excessive" in this case. Brown said Amanda wasn't diagnosed with sexual problems in the pre-sentence investigation report. She only has some social anxiety issues, he said.

The 10-year special parole is usually mandatory when a defendant is convicted of a sex crime in Iowa.

Linn County Associate District Judge Casey Jones said it was a difficult decision because he wanted to balance the damage done to the victim and also allow Amanda Jones, who has no prior criminal history, to have the greatest opportunity for rehabilitation.

The victim's mother submitted a victim's impact statement to the court, but Brown asked the judge not to read it because it was prejudicial and stated facts not addressed in court.

Jones agreed, saying the statement would remain in the confidential portion of the record.

Amanda Jones met the teen two times after the kiss and sent him e-mails in an attempt to pursue a romantic relationship.

The teen testified during trial that he initiated the kiss, but said he never replied to the several e-mails she sent him.

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• Sept. 1 -

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Sept. 1 - Former youth counselor found guilty of sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old