Charles City Man Agrees to Reduced Charges in Child Sex Abuse Case

A Charles City man has agreed to plead guilty to reduced charges after he was accused of sexually abusing a child.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Charles City Police October 31, 2024, a report was made to the Department of Human Services earlier in the month that chronicled an investigation by the Allen Child Protection Center in Waterloo. During a forensic interview, a female victim under the age of 10 claimed 39-year-old Randy McFarland had touched her inappropriately on several occasions at a residence in Charles City. 

The alleged incidents occurred as early as January 2024 and continued as late as August 2024. 

A warrant was issued for McFarland’s arrest and he was taken into custody by the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office on November 2, 2024, on a charge of second-degree sexual abuse, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

McFarland will avoid trial after agreeing to a plea deal Monday (09.15) in Floyd County District Court. He has entered an Alford Plea to two Class C felony counts of lascivious acts with a child – fondle or touch.

With an Alford Plea, the defendant does not admit guilty, but acknowledges that there is enough evidence for a likely conviction at trial.

McFarland could face up to 10 years in prison on each count when he is sentenced November 10th.