An Altoona man pleaded not guilty Friday at an arraignment in Dallas County District Court in connection with incidents 10 years ago in which he allegedly raped a 4-year-old child in West Des Moines.
Michael Charles Ertz, 70, of 1116 10th Ave. Pl. S.E., Altoona, faces two counts of second-degree sexual abuse.
According to court records, the incidents occurred between May 1, 2014, and April 30, 2015, at a residence on Wistful Vista Drive in West Des Moines.
The victim was “between the age of 4 and 5 years old,” according to court records.
A warrant for Ertz’s arrested was ordered March 19 in Dallas County District Court and served Friday. Ertz is held in the Dallas County Jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond. He is scheduled for a pretrial conference May 16 in Dallas County District Court.
Ertz was arrested in January in Altoona on five counts of second-degree sexual abuse. The alleged assaults occurred between 2013 and 2016, and the victims were then 8 to 11 years old. A plea and sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 9 in Polk County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
