Cedar Rapids resident initially charged with burglary, sexual abuse may face deportation

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Cedar Rapids man initially charged with burglary and sexual abuse was sentenced Monday to 90 days in jail for a lesser charge and may face deportation.  

Sixth Judicial District Judge Mitchell Turner on Monday sentenced Sekou Keita, 25 - originally from Africa and living in Cedar Rapids - after Keita pleaded guilty last week to assault with intent to inflict serious injury. Keita was given 90 days credit for time served - meaning he will not serve any additional jail time.

Turner also ordered him to pay court fees and a $625 fine.

Keita admitted during the plea hearing to assaulting a woman with the intent to inflict serious injury on April 17. The woman attended Monday's hearing but didn't give a victim's impact statement.

Turner also issued a no-contact order for five years.  

First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said Keita was originally charged with first-degree burglary, third-degree sexual abuse and false imprisonment but he had serious concerns that arose pending trial regarding discrepancies and inconsistencies in the testimony and physical evidence.

The woman told police Keita forced his way into her apartment and sexually abused her, according to a criminal complaint.  

'We reached the conclusion that it would be unlikely we would be able to prove the original charges at trial beyond a reasonable doubt,” Maybanks said. 'We appreciate the assistance of the Cedar Rapids Police Department on this case.”  

Maybanks said the county attorney's office places a 'high standard on the required strength of our cases” and this case didn't reach that standard.

Authorities believe Keita could be deported following the sentencing because immigration removal proceedings had started but were suspended pending the outcome of this case, Maybanks added.

l Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com