Matthew L. Wilson

The Court of Appeals of Iowa has affirmed the sentence of 30-year-old Matthew Wilson from the Iowa District Court for Washington County. Wilson was found guilty of second degree sexual abuse following a jury verdict of guilty. The appeal was that a confession at the time of arrest should have been suppressed as evidence.

In 2015, the victim, who was eight-years-old at the time of the abuse, explained the abuse to a Department of Human Services worker. That worker then contacted Washington County Deputy Chad Ellis and an investigation began.

Ellis and the DHS worker conducted an interview with Wilson at his father’s home. According to court documents, “Ellis questioned Wilson by conveying an attitude of empathy and concern, saying such things as, ‘We’re just trying to understand.'” To which Wilson said there was nothing to say. Ellis stated “the family needed closure” and that he and the DHS worker “were trying to get help for those that needed it, and that it was for the family’s good” and “suggested that counseling and therapy were available.” Wilson admitted the abuse had occurred. At that point, the officer believed he had probable cause to make an arrest and read Wilson his rights.

In the appeal, Wilson argued a promise of leniency was made to get a confession. According to the document, Ellis expressed sympathy and mentioned treatment generally, he did not specifically offer Wilson therapy as an alternative to a criminal charge or incarceration. The conclusion is that “the court correctly denied the motion to suppress and admitted the confession.” Wilson is in the Clarinda Correctional Facility with a scheduled release date of June 24th, 2037.