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  Bluffs Pastor Guilty on 3 Counts

The World-Herald
January 28, 2011

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110128/NEWS97/110129652

It took four women several years to report sexual abuse by a Council Bluffs pastor, but it took a jury only four hours to convict him.

Efrain Umana, 55, was found guilty of second-degree sexual abuse, third-degree sexual abuse and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. He was found not guilty of a second count of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse.

The victim in the second-degree sexual abuse was 11 years old at the time. Now, 18, she said was thankful that the jury – which consisted of eight men and four women – believed the women’s stories.

“I had no reason to lie. What did I get out of this?” she said. “The truth always wins.”

Umana testified on his own behalf Thursday, and denied that any of the allegations made against him were true. Apparently the jury disagreed.

Umana was also convicted of forcing intercourse with another woman who was a member of his Council Bluffs church, Templo Monte Horeb, as well as making unwanted sexual advances towards another parishioner.

His sentencing is scheduled for March 3. Second-degree sexual abuse is a class B felony in Iowa and carries a mandatory sentence of 25 years in prison. Because the charge is a “forcible felony,” Umana must spend 17? years in prison before being eligible for parole.

Third-degree sexual abuse is Class C felony that carries a maximum prison term of 10 years, and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse is an aggravated misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 2 years in prison.

Whether or not the sentences will be served consecutively or at the same time will be left to the discretion of the judge.

 
 

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