Mother loses plea for jail time in exploitation case

CEDAR RAPIDS – A mother asked a judge Tuesday to give a 28-year-old man prison time for molesting her 10-year-old son in 2004, instead of probation, which was recommended in a pre-sentencing investigation.

The mother in a victim impact statement said “this tragedy” affected all their lives, financially as well as emotionally. Her son at 10-years-old developed behavioral problems after being abused and transferred schools many times because of these issues but she didn't understand it until her son in 2009 told her about the abuse.

“He had a drug problem because he didn't tell us for six years,” the mother said. “He was self-medicating to forget what Zachary Field did to him. He stole my son's childhood. He's a pedophile and should be off the streets.”

Field, of Marion, originally charged with second-degree sexual abuse, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor, as part of a plea agreement. He fondled the 10-year-old and photographed him nude between March 31 and Oct. 31, 2004, according to the criminal complaint.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Douglas Russell sentenced Field to five years probation with an additional 10 years special sentence for sex offenses. Field will also be listed on the sex offender registry and must attend an intensive sex offender treatment program.

Russell also ordered the no contact order extended and Field to pay victim restitution which will be set when the state files pecuniary damages.

Field before sentencing apologized to the victim and his family.

“I'm deeply sorry for what I've done wrong and I will always regret this,” Field said.