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Circuit Court: Dec. 28, 2012
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Lafayette County Felonies

- Alex David Gertsch, 19, Gratiot, was charged Tuesday, Dec. 11, with a Class C felony count of second-degree sexual assault of a child and a Class B felony county of first-degree sexual assault of a child using force. The charges stem from allegations that he had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl near County K in Gratiot on Labor Day, Sept. 3. His preliminary hearing is Feb. 11. He signed a $5,000 signature bond Dec. 17, with the conditions that he have no contact with the girl, members of her family or anyone under the age of 17, except his siblings and minor cousins during the holidays until Jan. 1.

- A bench warrant was issued Wednesday, Dec. 12, for Nathan Robert Downs, 21, Rewey, after he failed to appear in court for a sentencing hearing on felony charges of child abuse, strangulation/suffocation and second-degree recklessly endangering safety. The charges stem from an incident involving a 17-year-old girl April 18 on Park Street in Benton.

- Jason Michael Schumacher, 31, Dubuque, Iowa, was charged Wednesday, Dec. 18, with contempt of court (a misdemeanor) and two counts of felony bail jumping. Records indicate he was at the jail to provide a court-ordered urine sample when he abruptly left in a waiting vehicle. He was later apprehended, and deputies report finding on him a glass pipe with meth residue.