Braggs sentenced for sexual abuse; verbally attacks prosecutors, judge

The victim of a rape and burglary today asked the judge in the case to give her attacker, Bruce Braggs, the maximum sentence of 50 years.

The former Kirkwood Community College student, who was calm and direct giving her brief victim's impact statement, said she feared he would do the same thing to someone else.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Marsha Beckelman sentenced Braggs, 33, of Cedar Rapids, to 25 years on each of two charges -- second-degree sexual abuse and first-degree burglary. Beckelman ran the sentences consecutively based on the violent nature of the offense and Braggs' previous criminal history.

Braggs will have to serve 70 percent of the sexual abuse sentence before being eligible for parole.

Braggs broke into the 19-year-old victim's apartment on June 3, 2007 and raped her. The victim testified Braggs put a blanket over her head while he raped her three times.

Braggs has two previous felony convictions and several misdemeanors, including domestic abuse assault, harassment, carry weapons, illegal betting and drug charges.

Braggs, who had the chance to speak on his behalf before sentencing, told the victim he was sorry for what happened to her and hopes one day the police will catch the real attacker.

Braggs then launched into verbals attacks on the prosecutors and Beckelman. He criticized each on their professional intregrity and made several derogatory and demeaning remarks about them.