OTTUMWA, IOWA – Acting on a tip, Iowa cops converged upon a slummy apartment and rescued a 12-year-old child out of an alleged on-going horrific ordeal at the hands of a suspect.
On December 24, 2024, the Ottumwa Police Department received a complaint about a possible sexual assault at a residence in the 200 Block of South Ward Street in Ottumwa. Police identified a 12 year old juvenile victim who cooperated with the investigation.
On January 6, 2025, at approximately 2:10 PM, Ottumwa Police arrested Jean-Baptiste Stinfort, age 57, of 202 S. Ward, Ottumwa, with the following offenses in relation to this investigation:
• Human Trafficking, a Class “A” Felony
• Sexual Abuse 2nd Degree, a Class “B” Felony
It is alleged that Stinfort paid the juvenile victim to engage in sex acts with him for approximately 3 years on several occasions. Stinfort is being held in the Wapello County Jail with no bond.