Cresco Man Charged with Sexual Abuse of Boy Scouts Claims Statute of Limitations Expired
A northeast Iowa man, facing 10 charges related to sexual abuse of at least five minor victims, claims he can’t be tried for the alleged crimes.
James Hughes of Cresco, who will turn 74 on May 29th, was arrested in June 2023 on four counts of third-degree sexual abuse, all Class C felonies; and six counts of lascivious conduct with a minor, all serious misdemeanors.
According to the Iowa DCI, a report filed with Cresco Police in March 2021 alleged sexual abuse by Hughes involving a juvenile Boy Scout troop member over several years. Further investigation accused him of sexually abusing four other juvenile boys, also in his troop, with some incidents spanning more than a decade. Criminal complaints show the activity occurred as early as 2008 and into 2018.
Hughes has pleaded not guilty to all charges and his trial date is scheduled for July 10th in Howard County District Court.
However, his attorney, Andrew Nelson of Decorah, filed a motion last week that Hughes intends to rely on a defense that Iowa Codes Section 802.3 and 802.4 bar him from prosecution of all charges.
802.3 says “an indictment or information for a felony or aggravated or serious misdemeanor shall be found within three years after its commission.”
802.4 says, “A prosecution for a simple misdemeanor or violation of a municipal or county rule or ordinance shall be commenced within one year after its commission.”
No ruling or judgment has been issued on Hughes’ motion as of Tuesday (05.07).
