Eastern Iowa Man Arrested For Sexually Abusing a Child Under 12

A disturbing story out of Cedar Rapids.

KWQC reports that Zachary Charles Nicholas is in custody after he was accused of sexually abusing an underage girl.

According to court documents, the now 13-year-old girl told investigators Zachary Charles Nichols sexually abused her on two separate occasions between May 1, 2012, and Sept. 1, 2013, at a Linn County address.

Nicholas denies the claims, instead telling investigators that "there may have been an instance where there was physical contact during which time he may have unintentionally become aroused."

Nichols is currently being held at the Linn County Jail, where he faces two counts of second-degree sexual abuse. In Iowa, these charges are punishable by up to 25 years in prison for each, according to Statelaws.com.