Cedar Rapids man acquitted of sexual abuse charges

A 37-year-old Cedar Rapids man charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2011 was acquitted Friday by a Linn County jury.

The jury found Eddie Jones not guilty of felony third-degree sexual abuse and criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease, a misdemeanor, following a four-day trial.

Jones started crying when the verdict was read Friday by 6th Judicial District Judge Robert Sosalla.

According to testimony, Jones maintained he didn't abuse the teen. He attempted to take in or be a foster parent to Jones before the allegations were made. The teen didn't live with his mother. He was at Woodward Academy after being charged in juvenile court.

The 15-year-old told investigators he was abused by Jones more than once, according to testimony.

The trial had been delayed several months for motions involving a change in charges over the repealed felony charge of criminal transmission of HIV and an interlocutory appeal, which was denied by the Iowa Supreme Court.