WEST UNION — Cory Arden Hursey, 36, of West Union, formerly of Oelwein, is charged in Fayette County District Court with third-degree sexual abuse, second or subsequent offense, (Class A felony).

According to the criminal complaint, while working as an independent contractor at a local business in the 900 block of Highway 150, Fayette, he forcefully fondled a woman beneath her clothing and put her hand on his person the afternoon of Oct. 10. The complaint says bruising on the woman’s hips from the incident was documented and another person reported hearing the woman say, “Stop,” but did not see the act.

During a miranda interview, Hursey said that something sexual occurred during the work, the complaint says.

He made his initial appearance on Oct. 14. Bail was set at $5,000, 10% in cash, remainder unsecured promise to appear.

Hursey was previously convicted of third-degree sexual abuse on March 5, 2007. He originally was placed on five years of probation with a suspended prison sentence of up to 10 years. He went to prison in 2011 after his probation was revoked.

On May 17, 2021, he was placed on probation for one to two years after pleading guilty to a sex offender registry violation regarding residency.

Other felony case filings

Joseph Ronald Banks, 40, of Hazleton, is charged with two Class C felony sex offender registration violations — crimes against minors. According to the criminal complaints, on Oct. 15 police were notified by staff at the West Union Residential Facility had a resident had prohibited social media accounts on his phone as well as conversations. Staff showed an officer pictures of social media accounts on his phone. These are both in violation of the five-day requirement to notify having social media accounts required by the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. Bail was set at $5,000 cash or surety.

Flora Mae Epley, 42, of Oelwein, is charged with possession of contraband in a correctional institution (Class D felony)and second-offense possession of methamphetamine (aggravated misdemeanor). She made her initial court appearance Oct. 10. Bail was set at $5,000 cash only.