(Orange City)– The co-founder of the Pizza Ranch restaurant chain has pleaded guilty to four counts of third-degree sexual abuse.
54-year-old Lawrence Vander Esch of Hull entered the pleas today in Sioux county district court. He was sentenced to 10 years on each charge…to be served concurrently. A trial for Vander Esch was scheduled to start today.
Vander Esch, who is the former Sioux county treasurer, was accused of approaching 17 and 18-year-old male employees asking them to engage in sexual acts for a medical study.
Officials say Vander Esch is no longer affiliated with Pizza Ranch.
