A 48-year-old Keokuk man has been arrested and charged with sexual misconduct involving a juvenile detainee at the South Iowa Area Detention Service Agency, according to Lee County Sheriff Elliott Vandenberg.
Mark Young, who was employed as a detention officer at the facility, was arrested following an investigation. He is charged with Sexual Misconduct with an Offender, an aggravated misdemeanor. Young is being held on $10,000 cash-only bond.
On October 29th, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was requested to respond to the South Iowa Area Detention Service Agency (JDC), located at 2528 255th Street in Montrose, regarding an investigation involving a JDC employee.
According to Sheriff Vandenberg, the JDC Director reported concerns involving inappropriate conduct between Young and a 16-year-old juvenile detainee. These concerns included excessive and unnecessary contact with the juvenile, actions taken to obstruct camera views within the facility, and violations of previously issued employment restrictions.
The matter was referred to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation.
During the investigation, authorities reviewed numerous employee reports and surveillance videos, and conducted multiple interviews. Information gathered indicated Young engaged in inappropriate behavior toward the juvenile detainee and violated established policies designed to protect juveniles in custody.
Investigators also learned that Young made unauthorized contact with the juvenile’s parent and misrepresented his authority regarding bonding the juvenile out of custody.
Search warrants were executed for both Young’s residence and personal electronic devices. Evidence collected during the investigation supported the reported allegations.
Young is no longer in a position of authority over juveniles.
Due to the nature of the case and the involvement of a juvenile, certain details are being withheld to protect the privacy of the victim, according to the Sheriff’s Office
