A felony trial for a Kalona man has been delayed. Keegan Joe Gingerich faces nine total charges, six felonies, in a case that was set for pretrial conference last week. An Order For Continuance was filed by Counsel for the State and Defendant, with the Iowa District Court for Washington County. District Court Judge Joel Yates granted the Order because both parties are involved in plea negotiations. A Pretrial Conference has been scheduled for September 27th at the Washington County Courthouse, where Gingerich has been ordered to appear.

According to court documents filed in February of this year, the charges stem from a Washington County Sheriff’s Office investigation that alleges, Gingerich unlawfully stalked a minor, under the age of 18, by purposely and strategically placing holes in walls to discreetly view and record that person without their knowledge or consent on multiple occasions. The report further states that Gingerich allegedly used a technological device to view, photograph or film the minor without their knowledge or consent, while the minor was in a state of full or partial nudity. The affidavit also claims Gingerich employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, coerced, knowingly permitted or caused the minor to engage in a prohibited sex act or simulation without knowing the act may be preserved and that he knowingly purchased or possessed a depiction of the act.

Charges include Sexual Exploitation of a Minor-Cause to Engage in Act, a Class B Felony, Stalking A Person Under 18 Years of Age, a Class C Felony, Stalking Using a Technological Device, a Class C Felony, three counts of Purchasing or Possessing a Depiction of a Minor in a Sex Act, First Offense, each a Class D Felony, and three counts of Invasion of Privacy, all Aggravated Misdemeanors. One each of the Class D Felony and Aggravated Misdemeanor charges are listed with the date of July 1st, 2023, the other seven charges are listed as January 24th, 2024.