Marion teen pleads to sexual abuse of 13-year-old girl

CEDAR RAPIDS — A 17-year-old Marion boy has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl last year in Marion.

Bryant Wallace, who was 16 at the time, was originally charged with third-degree sexual abuse and pleaded in writing to lascivious acts with a child.

He admitted to soliciting sex from the 13-year-old on June 22.

The 13-year-old described the sexual abuse during a forensic interview at the St. Luke’s Child Protection Center in Hiawatha, according to the criminal complaint. Investigators interviewed Wallace, who admitted the act, the complaint states.

Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden said he talked to the girl’s parents about the plea agreement. The parents didn’t want the teen to have to testify and cause her more trauma.

“They felt this provided substantial accountability,” Vander Sanden said.

The plea agreement doesn’t include a recommendation for sentencing, which is set for July 20.

Wallace faces up to five years. He also will be on the sex offender registry and serve a special sentence of parole for 10 years.

This is a predatory offense, and any future sex crime will carry an enhancement — more prison time, according to the written plea.

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