The following is a news release sent to KBOE Radio from the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office:

On Friday, Jan. 19, at approximately 8:00 AM, members of the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 1000 block of 300th Street, in rural Mahaska County, regarding an assault.

As a result of the investigation into this matter, Sheriff’s Officials arrested 57-year-old Douglas Wade Pettyjohn of 507 3rd Street, Bussey, Iowa. Pettyjohn was charged with 1 count of Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree (a class C felony) and 1 count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (a simple misdemeanor).

Pettyjohn was taken to the Mahaska County Jail where he was incarcerated. He will make his initial appearance in the Mahaska County District Court on Jan. 20, 2018. The victim of his assault was an adult female.

** A criminal charge is merely an accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.