MASON CITY – A Mason City man accused of solicitation of a minor entered a guilty plea to felony prostitution and was given probation and a fine.
Mason City police filed a charge of class D felony prostitution against David Ross Welsher, now age 39, back in June 18, 2020, alleging a violation of Iowa code 725.1(2)(b), which states, “A person who purchases or offers to purchase services as a partner in a sex act from a person who is under the age of eighteen commits a class ‘D’ felony.”  The alleged crime was committed on August 23, 2019, records show. Welsher was also accused in Wright county of sexual abuse.
Welsher was jailed but released to the custody of Iowa corrections on June 19.
At a July 28, 2020 arraignment, a public defender entered a plea of not-guilty for Welsher. Later, however, Welsher pled guilty to a charge of felony D prostitution and was sentenced to 5 years in prison (suspended), given three years of probation, and must pay $1,229.12 in fines, court fees and surcharges.
