Bentley Will Still Serve Sentence Following Appeal

By Spencer Willems, Reporter

James Bentley stands up to leave the courtroom at the end of the day during his trial for second-degree sexual abuse, on Wednesday, 30, 2008. (AP Photo/John Gaps III, pool)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Apr 21, 2010 at 5:30 PM CDT

Story Updated: Apr 21, 2010 at 5:30 PM CDT

DES MOINES – The Iowa Court of Appeals ruled that James Bentley will serve out his 25-year sentence in prison for second-degree sexual abuse.

Bentley, 38, of Vinton, was found guilty in Benton County Court on Aug. 1, 2008, and sentenced to 25 years in prison as well as parole for life for his involvement in the abuse of ten-year-old Jetseta Gage.

Bentley’s attorneys were partially successful in their appeal. The state judges agreed Wednesday that the lifetime parole statute could not apply retroactively to Bentley’s case and was dismissed.

Bentley is also facing a 100-year prison sentence for federal child pornography charges involving Jetseta Gage and her then 13-month-old sister. Bentley’s appeal of those charges were denied by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in April of 2009.

Bentley’s brother Roger is serving a life-sentence for the murder of Jetseta Gage while his nephew Daryl, 26, is serving a ten-year sentence for third-degree sexual abuse.

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