Former Church Youth Leader Pleads Not Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse Charges
By Stephen Gruber-Miller
A former church youth leader is pleading not guilty to multiple accusations of child sexual abuse and related charges. Benjamin C. Tweedt, 32, of North Liberty on Thursday entered a written plea of not guilty to all charges against him, online court records show. Police say Tweedt, a former youth leader and mentor at Parkview Church in Iowa City, fondled or had inappropriate sexual interactions with at least four children between the ages of 11 and 13 from 2006 to 2013. He was arrested in April, but was released after posting bond. The church, which reported the allegations to police in February, says Tweedt was a volunteer but was never an employee. Police said most of the abuse occurred during one-on-one visits with children in Tweedt's capacity as a volunteer with the church. North Liberty Police Chief Diane Venenga said the abuse happened in homes and church retreat locations in North Liberty and Coralville. All of the victims and witnesses interviewed by police had a connection to Parkview Church, Venenga said at the time of Tweedt's arrest. Tweedt also taught at Heritage Christian School in North Liberty from 2009 to 2013, and is the author of a series of young adult books featuring a teenage boy named Greyson Gray who fights terrorists. The charges against him, to which he has pleaded not guilty, are: One count of third-degree sexual abuse, a class C felony; Two counts of lascivious acts with a child - fondle or touch, a class C felony; Three counts of indecent contact with a child, an aggravated misdemeanor; Two counts of lascivious conduct with a minor, a serious misdemeanor. If convicted on all counts, Tweedt could face up to 38 years in prison. His trial has been set for Oct. 10. Contact: sgrubermil@press-citizen.com
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