Iowa City man sentenced to 10 years for enticing 2 minors, sexually abusing one of them

IOWA CITY — An Iowa City was sentenced last week 10 years in prison for enticing two minors for sex and sexually abusing one of girls who was under 13 years old in March 2024.

Gael Ewawa Mpia, 29, pleaded in April to third-degree sexual abuse and enticing a minor under 16 — sexual purpose.

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Sixth Judicial District Judge Liz Dupuich ran the 10- and five-year sentences concurrently for a total of up to 10 years to be served, in accordance with the plea agreement.

An investigation determined Mpia had enticed two girls, under the age of 14, to go with him to a residence to have sex on March 14, 2024, shortly after a fight broke out near Lincoln Avenue and Newton Road in Iowa City, according to a criminal complaint. He then sexually abused one of the girls, who was under 13 years old.

When the girls attempted to leave the residence, Mpia wrapped his arms around one of the girls and prevented her from leaving, as she was screaming and trying to get away, the complaint stated.

Mpia was previously convicted and sentenced in 2024 for enticing a minor under 16 — sexual purpose in a separate case which happened on March 29, 2024. According to a criminal complaint, he contacted a person online that he believed was a minor. He then made plans to meet the person at the Old Capitol Town Center, where they could go to a private place and have sex and smoke marijuana. When he arrived, police officers arrested him. He was sentenced to up to five years in prison.

Judge Dupuich ran the sentence last week consecutively to his previous five-year sentence, meaning he faces up to 15 total for the two cases. There is no mandatory minimum in either sentence.

Mpia was also ordered to serve a special sentence of parole for life and comply with the sex offender registry requirements.

The remaining two counts of false imprisonment and one count of second-degree sexual abuse were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

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