Dubuque, Iowa — A 25-year-old Dubuque resident was arrested early Friday morning on a series of serious felony charges spanning more than a year, including multiple instances of sexual abuse of a child, sexual exploitation, possession of child sexual abuse material, enticing a minor, and grooming, according to public court records from the Iowa Judicial Branch (case AR 2026000126).

Charles Benjamin Justmann (White male, 25) was taken into custody at 5:55 a.m. on March 20, 2026, at 770 Iowa St. in Dubuque by Officer L.P. Trojanowski of the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Department. The arrest followed the service of a warrant issued the previous day. Justmann is now facing 22 separate felony counts, with criminal complaints filed en masse by the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Department on March 18, 2026.

Detailed Charges and Offense Timeline

Court documents outline the following charges, each tied to specific dates that suggest an alleged pattern of conduct over more than 14 months:

•  Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – Cause to Engage in Act (Class B Felony): 1 count, offense date November 15, 2025.

•  Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree – Child Victim, Person 4 or More Years Older, 1st Offense (Class C Felony): 8 counts on dates including March 9, 2025; May 15, 2025; August 19, 2025; November 15, 2025; November 21, 2025; December 12, 2025; and December 31, 2025.

•  Purchase/Possess Depiction of Minor in Sex Act, 1st Offense (Class D Felony): 11 counts, one for each month from March 2025 through January 2026.

•  Enticing a Minor Under 16 – Sexual Purpose (Class D Felony): 1 count, offense date November 1, 2024.

•  Sexual Exploitation by Adult Providing Training/Instruction (Class D Felony): 1 count, offense date November 15, 2025.

•  Grooming (Class D Felony): 1 count, offense date November 1, 2024.

These charges reflect Iowa law’s focus on protecting minors. Sexual abuse in the third degree applies when a sex act occurs with a child victim where the perpetrator is four or more years older. The exploitation counts involve causing or instructing a minor in prohibited acts, while the possession charges treat each monthly instance as a distinct offense. Grooming and enticing statutes (recently strengthened in Iowa) criminalize actions intended to seduce or lure a minor for sexual purposes.

Court Timeline and Today’s Proceedings

The case moved quickly through the system:

•  March 18, 2026: Multiple criminal complaints filed by the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Department.

•  March 19, 2026: Judge Mark T. Hostager ordered issuance of the arrest warrant (with a note to copy the sheriff).

•  March 20, 2026: Warrant served; Justmann arrested at 5:55 a.m.

•  Same day: Pre-trial release evaluation ordered by the Department of Correctional Services – Dubuque.

•  Same day: Court appearance noted for attorney Joshua Ryan Sims.

•  Same day: Judge Robert J. Richter issued an “other order” specifying the security level of a no-contact order.

Justmann is being held on a $250,000 appearance bond. The immediate no-contact order adds a protective layer, restricting any communication or proximity to the alleged victim(s) during the pre-trial phase—a standard safeguard in child sexual abuse cases to prevent intimidation or further harm.

Potential Penalties and Legal Implications

Convictions on these charges carry substantial prison time under Iowa Code:

•  Class B Felony (sexual exploitation causing a minor to engage): Up to 25 years in prison, fines up to $50,000, plus a lifetime special sentence of supervision by the Department of Corrections.

•  Class C Felonies (sexual abuse 3rd degree): Up to 10 years per count, fines $1,370–$13,660.

•  Class D Felonies (possession, enticing, grooming, adult exploitation): Up to 5 years per count, fines $1,025–$10,245.

Because many offenses qualify as sex crimes, a conviction would almost certainly trigger sex offender registration (Tier II or III, requiring 10+ years of public reporting with periodic verification) and a special sentence of 10 years to life. Sentencing could involve consecutive terms for multiple counts, restitution to the victim, and lifetime restrictions on contact with minors. Iowa treats these as forcible felonies in many contexts, limiting probation eligibility.

Nuances include the volume of charges (22 total) and their temporal spread, which prosecutors may argue demonstrates premeditation and ongoing conduct. Possession counts are charged separately per month, consistent with Iowa’s approach to treating each depiction or incident distinctly. The grooming and enticing charges suggest an alleged preparatory phase beginning as early as November 2024. Defense strategies might challenge evidence admissibility, seek to consolidate counts, or argue for concurrent sentencing, while the pre-trial evaluation will inform bond conditions and risk to the community.

This case underscores Iowa’s aggressive enforcement of child protection laws, including the 2024 criminalization of grooming as a standalone Class D felony and enhancements to exploitation statutes. Dubuque County authorities acted swiftly—from complaint filing to warrant and arrest in under 48 hours—reflecting coordinated efforts between the sheriff’s department and the courts.

For the community, the no-contact order and pre-trial release evaluation highlight dual priorities: ensuring the defendant’s appearance in future hearings while prioritizing victim safety. If convicted on all counts, the cumulative sentence could exceed decades, with lifelong collateral consequences. Conversely, the presumption of innocence remains critical at this early stage; Justmann has not been tried, and the case will proceed through arraignment, discovery, and potential trial or plea negotiations.

The Dubuque County Sheriff’s Department has not released additional investigative details, such as victim age or how the allegations surfaced. Further court filings, including any bond amount specifics or updated conditions, are expected in coming days via Iowa Courts Online.

As the case advances, it serves as a reminder of the legal system’s layered response to alleged crimes against minors: rapid arrest, protective orders, risk assessment, and severe penalties designed to deter and incapacitate. Updates will be available through official court records and local law enforcement channels.

Justmann is presumed innocent until proven guilty.