MASON CITY — A convicted sex offender with a history of felony domestic abuse convictions, prison sentences and trouble obeying Iowa’s sex offender registration laws has landed back behind bars in Mason City, adding another chapter to a criminal record stretching back more than a decade.
Gregory Lloyd Lobato, 37, has already received prison sentences for felony domestic abuse convictions and a previous sex offender registration violation. Court records document criminal proceedings in multiple Iowa counties.
Now, just weeks after registering a Mason City address, Lobato is accused of breaking the law again.
He was booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail at 7 p.m. Friday, October 9, 2026, on a charge of sex offender registration requirement violation, second offense, according to jail records. Authorities listed a $5,000 cash-only bond.
Sex crime involving teenage girl led to registry requirement
The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Sex Offender Registry lists a February 6, 2012, conviction for assault with intent to commit sexual abuse in Emmet County. State records identify the victim as a girl between the ages of 14 and 17.
Lobato is classified as a Tier 2 registrant subject to reviews twice a year. The registry also identifies exclusion and employment restrictions. His most recently listed Mason City address was registered September 21, 2026 — less than three weeks before the latest booking.
Already convicted of violating sex offender registry
Court records show Lobato previously pleaded guilty to a sex offender registration violation stemming from a January 1, 2020, offense in Emmet County. In March 2023, a judge sentenced him to two years in prison, to run concurrently with sentences from separate Monona County cases.
An April 29, 2025, filing documents discharge of that sentence, but does not establish the precise date Lobato was physically released from prison.
Despite the previous conviction, Lobato is now accused of a second registration violation under Iowa Code 692A.104. The latest jail intake record does not specify which registration obligation officials believe he violated.
Two domestic abuse cases brought felony convictions
Lobato’s criminal history extends beyond registration violations. In March 2023, a Monona County jury convicted him of domestic abuse assault, third or subsequent offense, a Class D felony, stemming from a June 24, 2022, offense. A judge imposed a five-year prison sentence.
In a separate Monona County case involving a November 24, 2022, offense, Lobato pleaded guilty to another Class D felony domestic abuse assault and received another five-year sentence. Court records ordered the domestic abuse sentences to run consecutively.
He was also convicted of felony failure to appear in another Monona County case and received a five-year sentence subject to concurrent sentencing provisions.
Trouble follows Lobato to Mason City
On January 20, 2026, Mason City police filed a criminal complaint accusing Lobato of domestic abuse assault, third or subsequent offense. He appeared in court January 21 and a no-contact order was entered.
However, prosecutors moved to dismiss the charge, and the court dismissed it February 24. The no-contact order was lifted. Lobato was not convicted in that case.
A separate parole violation proceeding initiated in January ended with a March 6 order reinstating parole without new conditions.
Back behind bars after registering Mason City address
The Iowa sex offender registry lists Lobato’s latest Mason City address as registered September 21. On October 9, jail records show he was booked on the new registration violation allegation, with bond listed at $5,000 cash only.
Under Iowa law, people subject to sex offender registration must keep authorities informed of required residence and other registration details. The public booking entry does not explain the specific conduct behind this new allegation.
NorthIowaToday.com previously covered another Cerro Gordo County registry violation arrest and a separate registration case involving a sex offender placed in Mason City.
Lobato’s record includes established felony domestic abuse convictions and an earlier registration violation. His latest charge, however, is a new allegation and not a conviction. He is presumed innocent of that charge unless proven guilty in court.