Charles City man charged with sexual abuse of young girl

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A Charles City man has been charged with committing a sexual act against a young child and is being held in Floyd County Jail.

Noah Lee Ragsdale, age 38, was charged with sexual abuse in the second degree, a Class B felony, for allegedly committing a sex act with a child under the age of 12 between December 2019 and February 2020 in Charles City. He was also charged with lascivious acts with a child, a Class D felony.

Ragsdale was arrested early in September at a residence in Charles City and was initially being held on $10,000 cash-only bond. He has entered a written plea of not guilty and a trial has been scheduled for Dec. 8 in Floyd County District Court.

A hearing was held in district court in Charles City Monday on a motion by Ragsdale’s attorney to review the amount of bond under which Ragsdale is being held. His attorney, Matthew Pittenger of Mason City, had moved that the bond be reduced to an amount his client could afford.

Floyd County Attorney Rachel Ginbey has resisted a reduction in bond, arguing that Ragsdale had originally been arrested and bond set on the charge of lascivious act, but his bond should now be increased to recognize the more serious second-degree sexual assault charge that has been filed.

Judge DeDra Schroeder increased the amount of the bond to $25,000, but allowed a 10% cash or surety to be posted.

A Class B felony is punishable upon conviction by an indeterminate term in prison of up to 25 years. A Class D felony is punishable upon conviction by an indeterminate term in prison of up to 5 years, plus fines of $750 to $7,500 and other fees, costs and surcharges.