Iowa City man convicted of sexually assaulting 13-year-old girl in 2022

IOWA CITY — A judge issued a guilty verdict last week from a July bench trial of an Iowa City man, who “plied” a 13-year-old girl with alcohol and then sexually abused her in a car in 2022.

Sixth Judicial District Chief Judge Lars Anderson, in his verdict, said the 13 year-old’s credible testimony and the supporting evidence was “overwhelming” for the second-degree sexual abuse charge against Robert Seals, 47. The prosecution proved that Seals sexually assaulted the girl on Nov. 22, 2022, he said.

Anderson, in his written verdict, said there were a “fair number” of inconsistencies between the victim’s testimony and previous statements she made, but overall her testimony was “extremely credible.”

Most of her account has remained the same, such as getting into a car with two men, later identified as Seals and Stephen Ross, 28, of Iowa City, who was previously convicted in this case, to smoke marijuana. The men drove off and “plied” her with alcohol and sexually assaulted her, according to the verdict.

The minor inconsistencies aren’t surprising considering the victim’s age, passage of time and trauma associated with the incident and the victim being given alcohol, Anderson said.

There also was supporting evidence of a surveillance video of Seals and Ross confirming the victim’s account of meeting the men at the Kum & Go and traveling to Kwik Star, Anderson said.

Another video from Kwik Star showed Ross purchasing a bottle of “Black Label,” which confirmed the victim’s testimony that she drank something with “black” on it. The 13-year-old’s urine sample also supported that assertion.

Seals’ DNA also was found on the girl, as well as seminal fluid and DNA of three different individuals was found in the girl’s underwear, confirming her testimony of sexual abuse, according to the verdict.

Anderson acquitted Seals on the second charge of delivery of a controlled substance to a minor, ruling the evidence was insufficient to support cocaine metabolites found in the victim’s system came from drugs given to her by Seals.

Marijuana or marijuana metabolites were not found in the girls’ system, Anderson said. The only evidence of marijuana comes from the girl’s testimony.

“The court suspects that the cocaine came from (victim’s) interactions with Seals and she may have been given marijuana, but that suspicion does not establish his guilty by proof beyond reasonable doubt,” Anderson said in the verdict.

Seals faces up to 25 years in prison for second-degree sexual abuse. He must serve 70 percent — 17-1/2 years — before being eligible for parole. He also must serve a special sentence of parole for life and comply with requirements of the sex offender registry.

His sentencing is set for Nov. 7 in Johnson County District Court.

Ross pleaded in 2023 to lascivious acts with a minor and is currently serving 10 years in prison.

Trish Mehaffey covers state and federal court for The Gazette

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