OTTUMWA, Iowa — The trial for a southeast Iowa man facing multiple felony charges is scheduled to begin next week in Wapello County.
Simplice Maggloire Nguepnang, of Ottumwa, is accused of sexually assaulting four female juveniles and faces 11 felony counts.
The investigation began in early June 2023 when Ottumwa police identified allegations involving the victims. On June 20, 2023, authorities executed a search warrant at an apartment on East 4th Street, collecting data from social media platforms including Facebook and Snapchat, as well as cellular devices.
Nguepnang was arrested on August 7, 2023, and charged with:
Four counts of human trafficking
Three counts of third-degree sexual abuse (child victim, person 4+ years older)
Three counts of drug distribution to a person under 18
One count of second-degree sexual abuse
The trial will begin with jury selection at 9 a.m. on Tuesday in the Wapello County courthouse.
