West Branch man accused of sexually abusing child under the age of 13 more than once

ATALISSA, Iowa – A West Branch man is behind bars after allegedly sexually abusing a prepubescent child more than once.

Ryan Butler, 40, of West Branch, has been charged with two counts of Second Degree Sexual Abuse, a Class B Felony, and two counts of Lascivious Acts with Child, a Class C Felony, court records show.

Allegations.

DISCRETION IS ADVISED
This section includes graphic details involving sexual abuse of a child.

According to arrest affidavits, between the dates of Jan. 1 and Oct. 30, Butler sexually abused a 12-year-old child on at least two separate occasions.

Butler is accused of using his hands and fingers to touch the child on their genitals under clothing, including digital penetration, arrest affidavits show.

The location where at least one of the alleged incidents occurred was at a home in the 300 block of Depot Street in Atalissa, arrest affidavits show.

On Nov. 21, a warrant was issued for Butler’s arrest. On Dec. 9, he was arrested and booked into jail, records show.

On Dec. 10, a Temporary No Contact Order was granted against Butler on behalf of the child, court documents show.

Recent criminal history.

Back in May 2022, Butler pled Guilty to the charges of Domestic Abuse Assault and Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury.

In Jan. 2023, Butler was sentenced to five years in prison, but was granted parole and released in Jan. 2025, records show.

Latest updates.

JANUARY 9, 2026
Butler enters plea of Not Guilty and invokes his right to a speedy trial, of which must begin on or before March 19, court documents show. He remains in custody at the Muscatine County Jail on a $30,000 cash only bond. A pretrial conference has been scheduled for Feb. 16 at 9 a.m.

JANUARY 2, 2026
Arraignment continued to Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. Butler remains in custody at the Muscatine County Jail on a $30,000 cash only bond.

PLEASE SHARE THIS STORY.