North Liberty Man Arrested for Inappropriate Contact with Kids

A youth church leader and mentor from an Iowa City church is facing eight charges related to inappropriate conduct with four different children.

A press release from Chief Diane Venenga of the North Liberty Police Department, says they were made aware of someone at Parkview Church in Iowa City having inappropriate contact with victims on February 15, 2017.

The investigation by the North Liberty and Coralville Police Departments led police to Tweedt. The Johnson County Attorney's Office has charged Tweedt with one count of Sexual Abuse Third Degree (Class C Felony), two counts of Lascivious Acts with a Child (Class C Felony), three counts of Indecent Contact with a Child (Aggravated Misdemeanor), and two counts of Lascivious Conduct with a Minor (Serious Misdemeanor). According to the Johnson County Jail website, no bond has been set for Tweedt.

According to the release, authorities allege Tweedt had inappropriate sexual contact with four victims in one-on-one sessions over the last 10 years. He was a mentor/youth church leader at Parkview Church in Iowa City who reportedly removed Tweedt from the church's student ministry as soon as they were made aware of what had happened.

The North Liberty Police Department asks that anyone with additional information about Benjamin Tweedt and crimes against kids, please call their investigations department at (319) 626-5724.

[via North Liberty Police Department and Johnson County Jail]