Iowa teacher who sexually abused at least 15 boys gets decades-long state prison sentence

SIOUX COUNTY, IOWA – An Iowa teacher who sexually abused at least 15 boys was sentenced to 60 years in state prison even as he festers in a federal prison at this time.

Sioux County Attorney Thomas G. Kunstle announced that Curtis Lee Van Dam, age 37, of Sioux Center, Iowa, was sentenced today in Sioux County District Court for the seven (7) separate sex crimes. Sioux County Attorney Thomas G. Kunstle prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Iowa.

This case arose in October of 2017 after authorities began receiving reports that Van Dam, a former teacher and coach, had been orchestrating sexual conduct with multiple students. On September 12, 2018, Van Dam received a 15 year federal prison term, which includes an 85% (12.75 year) mandatory minimum, for Sexual Exploitation of a Child for a video he created capturing boys showering. On November 30, 2018, Van Dam pled guilty to the following crimes in Iowa District Court: five counts of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, Class C Felonies, one count of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, Class B Felony, and one count of Sexual Exploitation by a School Employee, a Class D Felony. There were a total of 15 minor victims.

On January 11, 2019, the Court sentenced Van Dam to a 60-year prison term that includes a 17.5 year mandatory minimum before he is eligible for parole or work release. The Court further ordered that Van Dam’s 60-year prison term be served consecutive to the federal sentence. Van Dam will return to federal custody to serve his 15-year federal prison term, and then be returned to Iowa to serve his 60-year prison term.