A Clinton man who was arrested in October 2024 in connection with the sexual abuse of a minor between 2014 – 2016 has entered a plea in the case.
James Severns, 46, entered a guilty plea on April 22 to a lesser charge of lascivious acts with a child – fondle or touch, first offense. A charge of second-degree sexual abuse was dropped at sentencing.
Severns was sentenced to a period not to exceed 10 years in the Iowa Department of Corrections, with credit for time served in the Scott County Jail. He was also ordered to pay a $1,370 fine and surcharges, plus a $90 sexual abuse-related crimes surcharge and a civil penalty of $260. He is subject to lifetime supervision on parole and must register as a sex offender.
Severns was arrested in October 2024 after the Department of Health and Human Services reported allegations of child sexual abuse on June 17, 2024. Severns lived in a Davenport home between 2014 – 2016 and Scott County deputies say he sexually abused the victim, who was under the age of 12 at the time.