ELDON – An Ottumwa man was sentenced this week for a sexual abuse incident that took place 20 years ago.

The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office says that 48-year-old Jeffary Ian Dowding was charged in February of this year in connection to the incident, which took place in Eldon in 2005, and his case was re-opened by the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit last year. 

On Tuesday, Dowding pleaded guilty to Assault with Intent to Commit Sexual Abuse. He was sentenced to probation with the Eighth Judicial Department of Corrections and is now required to register with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry.