(Des Moines)– The sexual abuse convictions of a Sioux county man are going to stand.
The Iowa Supreme Court has denied a review of the case against 55-year-old Lawrence Vander Esch of Hull. An order to that effect was issued Friday.
Vander Esch pleaded guilty in August 2001 to four counts of third-degree sexual abuse. Before entering the plea, Vander Esch requested the charges be dropped, claiming the sex acts involving teen-age boys were concensual. The district court denied the request, and Vander Esch entered a guilty plea. The Appeals Court upheld the lower court’s ruling.
Vander Esch was sentenced to 10 years in prison on each charge, to be served concurrently.
He is the former Sioux County Treasurer and co-founded the Pizza Ranch chain of restaurants, of which he is no longer affiliated with.
