Hiawatha man faces up to 13 years for molesting, assaulting teen

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Hiawatha man faces up to 13 years in prison after he was convicted this week of molesting and assaulting a 17-year-old girl in March 2023.

Eric Edward Gintert, 53, of Hiawatha, made Alford pleas to five charges involving the same teen, who told a forensic interviewer at the UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Child Protection Center that Gintert not only molested and assaulted her on March 18, 2023, but also had molested her over several years. Gintert originally faced nine charges.

In an Alford plea, a defendant doesn’t admit guilt but admits the prosecution has sufficient evidence to prove guilt.

Gintert pleaded guilty to willful injury resulting in bodily injury, a felony; and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, indecent contact with a child — over clothing, and two counts of indecent contact with a child — fondle or touch, all aggravated misdemeanors.

The teen told the forensic interviewer that on March 18, 2023, Gintert molested her and then slammed her against a bed and pushed her up against a wall.

His sentencing is set for Aug. 8 in Linn County District Court.

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