Jury convicts Des Moines teen of sexually assaulting three children

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Linn County jury convicted an 18-year-old Des Moines man Friday for repeatedly sexually abusing three children, threatening to kill them if they told anyone, between 2021 and 2023 in Cedar Rapids.

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The jury deliberated over two hours, following the two-day trial, before finding Titus James Kloster, 18, guilty of three charges of second-degree sexual abuse — child under 12.

Kloster faces up to 75 years in prison. He also will have to serve a special sentence of lifetime parole for each conviction. Sentencing hasn’t been set at this time.

The children — three sisters — were between ages 6-9 and 7-10 during the time period when Kloster sexually abused them, according to testimony.

The girls, who each testified about the abuse, are now ages 11, 12 and 14. The girls said Kloster threatened to kill them and another of their siblings if they told what happened.

“I would like to thank the jury for their time and service, especially in a case dealing with children who are sexually abused,” Assistant Linn County Attorney Jordan Schier told The Gazette following the verdict. “I am proud that our office was able to bring justice to these children, and even prouder of the girls for standing up for each other and speaking up.”

Judge denied request to transfer case to juvenile court

After Kloster was charged as an adult, he asked the court to transfer his case to juvenile court, but 6th Judicial District Judge Liz Dupuich denied the transfer last month.

A juvenile court officer recommended the case stay in adult — district — court because Kloster was already 18 years old and his supervision would be limited to about 18 months for juvenile services, according to her ruling.

Juvenile Court Officer Sam Moen, in his report, said Kloster would likely need residential level treatment, which isn’t available in juvenile court because of his age and there would be “little to no” recourse if he was non-compliant with treatment, according to the ruling.

Moen also said community safety would be a concern because the alleged sex offenses also included “threats of violence,” the ruling stated.

Judge Dupuich, in her ruling, concluded there were no reasonable treatment alternatives in juvenile court because Kloster is 18 and given the “serious nature” of the offenses, it wasn’t in the best interest or the safety of the community to transfer this case to juvenile court.

Trish Mehaffey covers state and federal courts for The Gazette

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