Judge sentences Hiawatha man to probation for sexual abuse of teen

CEDAR RAPIDS - A judge gave a 21-year-old Hiawatha man probation Tuesday for his conviction of a lesser charge in a 2015 sexual assault case involving a 14-year-old girl.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Christopher Bruns said he is taking a chance on giving Frederick Hanson, who was 20 at the time of the offense, a deferred judgment and three years probation because, based on the presentencing report and the evidence in the case, he didn't act in a 'predatory manner.”

'If that would have been the case, you would have a much different outcome,” Bruns said during the sentencing.

Hanson, originally charged with third-degree sexual abuse, had previously pleaded guilty to lascivious acts with a minor. A criminal complaint shows Hanson sexually abused the girl on Dec. 16, 2015. The girl described the abuse to investigators and Hanson admitted to the sex act when confronted by the girl's mother, according to the complaint.

Hanson told the judge he was sorry for his actions and took responsibility for the offense.

Bruns said he knew the mother of the victim was in court and assured her Hanson will be monitored and have to answer to probation if he violates the terms. He added that if Hanson violates probation he could be placed in a residential facility or face the five-year penalty for lascivious acts.

Hanson also will be on the sex offender registry for 10 years, pay a $750 fine and other court costs.

Hanson was involved with the group of defendants who were convicted in the fatal shooting of Latasha Roundtree, 19, on Sept. 12, 2012. Hanson's brother is Jeremiah Ellis, who had a party that Roundtree and her friends were coming to when she was shot in a car by Tajh Ross. Ellis also fired a gun that night but not at Roundtree.

Hanson testified during the Ross murder trial in 2014 but gave a different version from what he told police about what he saw that night.

Ross, 22, was convicted of first-degree murder and is serving a life sentence in prison. The five others involved pleaded to lesser charges.

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