BOONE, Iowa—A Boone County jury last week, returned a guilty verdict against a Boone resident for violating the State’s Sex Offender Registry. Last Tuesday, the jury found Joshua Kelly Uranga, 37, Boone, Iowa, guilty of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registry Requirements, First Offense, in violation of Iowa Code. Due to the conviction Joshua Uranga faces up to two years in prison. The Boone County Attorney’s office released this information:
The jury trial was heard in the Boone County District Associates Court on May 1, 2018. At trial several witnesses testified for the State. Two deputies with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office testified that Joshua Uranga was supposed to register for the quarter ending in November 2016. When he did not register that quarter the Deputies went to his last known address. At the address a resident at the house told the Deputies that he did not live at the house or it’s out buildings. A landlord to the residence testified that Joshua Uranga was told to leave and not live at the residence. Office personnel at the Sheriff’s Department testified that Josh Uranga did not come into the Sheriff’s Office to register for the quarter ending in November. A representative with Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigation, Sex Offender Registry testified that Josh Uranga had a prior Sex Assault conviction from Texas. When he moved to Iowa from Texas he was still supposed to register on a quarterly basis. Josh Uranga took the stand and stated that he moved to Iowa from Texas and knew he was supposed to register as a Sex Offender with the Sheriff’s Office. He stated that he lived at the residence even though a resident there told Deputies he did not live there and the landlord confirmed. He said that he lived in a backyard shed.
After the day long trial the jury found Josh Uranga guilty of Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registry Requirements, First Offense. The possible sentences for a first time violation can range from probation to up to two years in prison with the Iowa Department of Corrections.
The case was investigated by the Boone Sheriff’s Office. The State was represented by Assistant Boone County Attorney Matthew Speers. Josh Uranga was represented by a local attorney.
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