Teen’s sexual abuse of two girls results in probation

A judge gave an 18-year-old who received probation last week for sexually abusing a 4-year-old in Floyd County a deferred judgment and probation Tuesday.

Kobey R. Pohlman pleaded guilty in May to third-degree sexual abuse and lascivious acts with a minor for sexual abuse of two teenage girls in Linn County. He abused the girls, one younger than 14 and the other 14 or 15 at the time, for over a year between May 6, 2013, through May 1, 2014.

Pohlman faced up to 10 years on each charge, but 6th Judicial District Judge Mitchell Turner followed the recommendation made in the presentencing report for a deferred judgment and five years of probation. Details of the report were not shared in open court.

Pohlman said he would like to move on with his life and apologized to the two victims, who were in the courtroom.

The girls declined to give a victim's impact statement, but both asked the judge to lift the no-contact orders against Pohlman. One of the girls cried as she made the request.

Turner questioned the girls and assured them they didn't have to decide now. Before agreeing to lift the orders, Turner made them both promise to report any future sexual abuse to their parents and police.

Both girls said they would.

Turner also lectured Pohlman, telling him this is a tremendous opportunity. The judge also emphasized that if he doesn't follow the rules and requirements on probation, his probation could be revoked and he would be back in court facing up to 20 years in prison.

In the Floyd County case, Pohlman's lawyer Peter Berger said Pohlman pleaded guilty to indecent contact with child, an aggravated misdemeanor, and was given a deferred judgment and two years of probation. The incident occurred Dec. 31, 2014.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Jordan Schier dismissed the other two pending counts of second-degree sexual abuse as part of the plea agreement.

Schier, who took over the case for newly appointed 6th Judicial Associate District Judge Jason Burns, said the plea agreement already was made between Burns and Berger before he took over the case.

Pohlman will be required to pay court fees and register as a sex offender for 10 years.