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Gregory Found Guilty of Sexual Abuse

Dion Gregory, 44, has been found guilt of Criminal Sexual Abuse of a minor
Dion Gregory, 44, has been found guilt of Criminal Sexual Abuse of a minor

***SOME OF THE CONTENT IN THIS STORY MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN***

 

Former Hamilton School Board member August Dion Gregory, 44, has been found guilty of sexually abusing a minor.  His sentencing is scheduled for Friday, May 18th at the Hancock County Courthouse in Carthage.

Gregory was arrested in December and charged with multiple felonies involving a minor: criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual abuse.  He was scheduled to go on trial this week.

Gregory waived his right to a jury trial, though, late last week, which prompted this morning’s stipulated bench trial before Judge Richard Gambrell at the courthouse.

The nature of a stipulated bench trial allowed Hancock County States Attorney Jim Drozdz to present evidence against Gregory without cross examination or testimony.  The defense, in turn, stipulated that the evidence presented by Drozdz was the facts in the case.

Drozdz told Judge Gambrell that Gregory purchased male-enhancement pills and provided them to a male under the age of 18.  Drozdz said, several weeks later, Gregory used a wooden ruler to measure the minor’s penis, while also touching the minor’s penis himself.

Gambrell found Gregory guilty of Criminal Sexual Abuse of a minor based on the evidence presented during the trial.  The remaining charges against Gregory were dismissed.

Criminal Sexual Abuse is a Class 4 Felony.  It involves the commission of an act of sexual conduct when the accused knows the victim was unable to understand the nature of the act or was unable to give knowing consent.

Gregory faces up to three years in prison, one year of parole, and a $25,000 fine.  He will also be required to register as a sex offender with local law enforcement and to undergo an evaluation prior to sentencing on Friday, May 18 at 1:30 P.M.

Drozdz says Judge Gambrell will consider that information when issuing Gregory’s sentence.  Gregory will be allowed to remain free on bond up until the sentencing, with a couple of conditions. 

He will be able to continue living in Iowa, where he has been since he posted bail in December and he must not have any contact with children below the age of 18 without authorization.

Gregory resigned from the Hamilton School Board following his arrest.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.