A Knoxville man is facing a slate of felony and misdemeanor charges after a child under 12 reported repeated sexual touching over several years, according to court records. The complaint alleges the abuse took place on multiple occasions at a Knoxville residence between the summer of 2022 and the summer of 2025. Authorities have identified the suspect as 32-year-old Zachary Schuster.
Court filings, as reported by KNIA - KRLS, say a sexual-assault report was taken on June 3, 2026, after the juvenile disclosed being touched in a sexual manner on multiple occasions over roughly three years. KNIA notes that Schuster is charged with three counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a victim under the age of 12, classified as Class B felonies, along with three counts of indecent contact with a child, which Iowa law treats as aggravated misdemeanors.
Charges, booking and court dates
According to Marion County court records and local reporting, Schuster was booked into the Marion County Jail and is being held on a cash-only bond of $100,000, with a preliminary hearing set for July 9, as reported by Ottumwa Radio. That report states investigators allege the abuse took place at two different residences between the summer of 2022 and June 1, 2026, and that the alleged offenses began when the victim was about 8 or 9 years old.
What the charges mean under Iowa law
Under Iowa law, sexual abuse in the second degree is a Class B felony. The statute explicitly includes certain sex acts involving a child as grounds for second-degree charges. The legal language is laid out in Iowa Code § 709.3. The indecent-contact charges fall under Iowa Code § 709.12, which defines certain types of sexual touching of a child as an aggravated misdemeanor and spells out related penalties and protections.
How to follow the case
Marion County case records can be tracked through the Iowa Judicial Branch's public portal. The Iowa Courts Online case search lists filings, docket entries, and upcoming hearings. The portal, available at Iowa Courts Online, provides case-level information, while coverage from KNIA - KRLS and Marion County filings offers the details currently available to the public. Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact local law enforcement or the Marion County Clerk of Court for guidance on providing tips or requesting public records.
