OTTUMWA — On June 6, 2023, the Ottumwa Police Department started an investigation involving 4 female juvenile victims who had been sexually assaulted by the same male.  Three victims were 14 years old and the other victim was age 13.    

On June 20, 2023, officers from the Ottumwa Police Department executed a search warrant at the residence of the suspect located at 315 E. 4th, Apt. 3, in Ottumwa.  During the course of the investigation officers also obtained search warrants for Facebook records, records from Snapchat, and the cellular devices that were seized during the initial search at the apartment.    

On August 7, 2023, at approximately 12:35 p.m., police arrested Simplice Maggloire Nguepnang, age 25, of Ottumwa. Nguepnang was charged with the following offenses:  

• Sexual Abuse 3rd Degree (3 Counts), all Class “C” Felonies
• Sexual Abuse 2nd Degree (13 year old victim), a Class “B” Felony
• Human Trafficking (4 counts), all Class “C” Felonies
• Distribution of a Controlled Substance to Person Under Age 18 (3 Counts), all Class “B” Felonies  

Nguepnang is being held in the Wapello County Jail.