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New Criminal Charges Against Former Burlington Alderman

The list of criminal charges against former Burlington City Council member Chris King, 41, continues to grow. He is accused of having illegal sexual contact with several minors he met through his photography studio in Burlington.

King was first arrested in May and charged with ten counts, including 3rd degree sexual abuse, providing alcohol to minors, and indecent exposure. He was out on bail, awaiting trial, when he was arrested this week on four more counts of 3rd degree sexual abuse.

Credit Des Moines County Jail
Chris King, 41, of Burlington was arrested this week on four counts of 3rd degree sexual abuse. In May, he was arrested on ten counts related to illegal sexual contact with minors.

Lt. Jeff Klein with the Burlington Police Department said the two sets of charges against King cover two different sets of victims. Lt. Klein said this week's charges stem from officers continuing to work the case over the last two months.

"After the initial charges were filed (against King), we began to put together the remainder of the case with an emphasis on the young ladies who in our opinions had suffered the most based on their contact with Mr. King," said Lt. Klein. "Both the physical and emotional toll taken on them.  We wanted to take the opportunity, based on the evidence available to us, to bring them some closure."

Authorities said King would contact the young girls after they had photo shoots at his studio.  He would offer them discounts on their pictures if they helped out around the studio. But instead King allegedly gave them alcohol, drove them to locations in rural Des Moines County, and forced them to "play" sexually-oriented games.

Lt. Klein said the investigation into King began in February after several parents came forward about their children being sexually abused.

"We've had one detective who has been dedicated exclusively to this case," said Lt. Klein.  "He has done a phenomenal job throughout this investigation."

Lt. Klein said additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.  He said it's been about a month since anyone has come forward to make a new accusation against King, who faces 50+ years in prison.  His bail has been set at $40,000 cash-only.

King's trial on the original charges is tentatively scheduled for mid-September.  He is seeking to have the trial moved outside Des Moines County.  A hearing has not been set on that request.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.