Settlement reached in Washington County jail lawsuit

WASHINGTON, Iowa - A settlement has been reached between Washington County and a former jail inmate who was sexually assaulted by another inmate in 2011, according to federal court records.

According to documents filed Jan. 5, a settlement has been reached between the county and Martin Medrano Vargas. The terms of the settlement are not available online, but a 'full execution of the settlement agreement” is expected within 30 days, the documents state.

Cedar Rapids attorney David Schrock, who represented the county in the proceedings, referred questions back to the county. County supervisor Bob Yoder said the settlement was discussed in a closed session this week, but he could not comment on those discussions.

'No decision has been made,” Yoder said.

The terms of the settlement will be made public after they have been accepted by the Board of Supervisors. Medrano Vargas' attorney, Des Moines-based Brandon Brown, declined to comment until the settlement was accepted by the board.

According to an amended version of the lawsuit originally filed in June 2013, 34-year-old Martin Medrano Vargas was being held at the Washington County Jail on identity theft, forgery and fraudulent practice charges in July 2011. The identity theft and forgery charges were later dismissed as part of a plea deal. Medrano Vargas was fined for the fraudulent practice offense.

Generally, Gazette policy dictates it does not identify sexual assault victims. However, Medrano Vargas identified himself in public court documents seeking monetary damages.

The lawsuit states that on July 16, 2011, Medrano Vargas was approached in the jail by another inmate, 44-year-old Rudolph Edwards, who was in custody on assault, domestic abuse and harassment charges. Edwards allegedly forced Medrano Vargas to come to his cell to look at his tattoo drawings. While in the cell Edwards sexually assaulted Medrano Vargas, according to the lawsuit. He followed Medrano Vargas to his own cell and sexually assaulted him there, as well.

The jail staff did not come to Medrano Vargas' aid, despite his cries for help, according to the lawsuit. Four hours after the sexual assaults are alleged to have occurred, Medrano Vargas was taken to the Washington County Hospital and a rape kit was completed.

Edwards was eventually charged with third-degree sexual abuse in November 2012, according to the lawsuit. He was acquitted by a jury in January 2013, according to court records.