Coralville man charged with sex abuse of 15-year-old girl

CEDAR RAPIDS — A 27-year-old Coralville man was charged Thursday for allegedly sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl over seven months in Hiawatha.

Grayson Hunt Dearing is charged with three counts of third-degree sexual abuse. He is accused of sexually abusing the teen between Dec. 1, 2020, and July 4 of this year.

According to a criminal complaint, during a forensic exam at UnityPoint-St. Luke’s Child Protection Center the 15-year-old described the sex acts and how they repeatedly occurred over the seven months.

Investigators also found a “multitude” of text messages between the teen and Dearing “corroborating the allegations,” the complaint states.

When interviewed by investigators, Dearing admitted inappropriate contact, saying he “made some bad choices,” according to the complaint.

Dearing’s lawyer, Mark Brown, filed a motion for discovery Thursday and stated Dearing would plead not guilty to the charges before an arraignment has been set.

Sixth Judicial Associate District Judge Casey Jones reduced Dearing’s bail Thursday — initially set for $50,000 — to $25,000 cash only.

If convicted, Dearing faces up to 30 years in prison.

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