By: Matt Scher, [email protected]
Dakota City, IA – A Dakota City man has been arrested on charges of Sexual Abuse and False Imprisonment.
18-year-old Austin Phillips of Dakota City was arrested Wednesday morning after turning himself in to the Humboldt County Jail. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has charged Phillips with 2nd Degree Sexual Abuse, a Class B Felony, and False Imprisonment, a serious misdemeanor.
The charges stem from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office receiving a report on July 6, 2024 of a possible sexual assault that took place in Dakota City. According to the criminal complaint, Phillips allegedly had sexual intercourse with the victim, a 13-year-old juvenile female, at the time of the alleged sexual assault from July 5-6.
After an initial appearance Thursday morning with a magistrate court judge, Phillips was released having posted a $7,500 cash only bond for the 2nd degree Sexual Abuse charge and was released on his own recognizance on the False Imprisonment charge. There is a no contact order between Phillips and the juvenile.
Phillips’ preliminary hearing for the charges is set for Oct. 4 at the Humboldt County Courthouse.