March 29, 2024

Newton man charged with videotaping nude children, adults

Brock had ‘more than a thousand’ videos recorded

The Newton Police Department has asked for the public’s help in a case involving a 71-year-old Newton man who was arrested on suspicion he had been videotaping children and young adults as they used a shower and tanning bed in his home.

James Wiley Brock was arrested and charged Wednesday with two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class C felony, and two counts of invasion of privacy involving nudity, a serious misdemeanor. He had an initial appearance and is out of the Jasper County Jail after posting $15,000 bond.

Additional information in the case was not available as of press time; no case information has been filed with Iowa Courts Online. A request for court documents with the Jasper County Clerk of Court’s Office revealed the information had not yet been filed as of Friday morning.

Additionally, the Newton Police Department refused to provide additional documents requested by the Daily News. The department issued a press release Wednesday afternoon regarding the case.

According to Newton Police Detective Rob Burdess, a parent contacted authorities June 29 regarding concerns Brock may have recorded minors in the nude. He said investigators were provided with pictures of the interior of the residence that showed numerous video monitors with cameras pointing into a tanning bed, showers and other rooms within the residence. Photos also showed VHS tapes in a secured room.

Tuesday, the Newton Police Department executed a search warrant upon Brock’s residence in the 800 block of East 14th Street South. Inside, investigators seized video monitors, numerous hidden cameras, VCRs, DVD players, computers and more than 1,000 VHS and DVD recordings depicting images of nude females under the age of 18 years old.

Brock has no criminal history in Iowa, outside of minor traffic violations in 2002, 2004 and 2006. He is not listed on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. But his home is located within three blocks of the Newton YMCA, as well as several daycares.

“Newton police investigators are attempting to identify all of the victims,” Burdess said. “Anyone with information regarding this case are asked to contact the Newton Police Department at (641) 791-0850.”

Daily News Editor Bob Eschliman may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 423, or at beschliman@newtondailynews.com.