Ebelsheiser sentenced to 12 years in prison

Jason Ebelsheiser listens during his sentencing proceedings January 6, 2011 (photo Nollen/Oskaloosa Herald)

Jason Ebelsheiser, who was found guilty of 1 count of sexual abuse in the 3rd degree, 2 counts of assault with intent to commit sex abuse and 1 count of tampering with records, was in court for his sentencing today.

Ebelsheiser was sentenced by Judge Wilson, in a Mahaska County Courtroom, after his October 29th conviction by jury.

The 1:15 pm proceedings started on time to a completely full courtroom, with standing room only. The main doors to the courtroom were opened to allow the over-flowing crowd in the hallway to hear, and for some, to also view the proceedings.

Ebelsheiser arrived to court dressed in a blue shirt and tie, a beard and was restrained with shackles.

All 13 due process motions, by the defense for a retrial, were dismissed in their entirety.

The State prosecution says they plan to refile the charges on the two counts the jury was unable to reach a verdict on in October. Ebelsheiser waived his right to a speedy trial. The court date for the retrial of the two felony counts has not yet been set.

Victim impact statements were made by 2 victims and the mother of a victim to the court.

The youngest of them, 17 at the time of the assault, went to the stand. “Why would I be here if I was lying” she said to those in attendance. “Why would I make this up?” “I been broken, I am hurting, I know what happened in that room, that day. He knows what happened in that room that day. Most of all, God knows what happened that day.” “… spent the past year praying for him and his family.” the youngest victim continued in her statement.

A victims mother came to the stand next to give her statement. “A parents worst nightmare came true.”  “What if this was your daughter?” She concluded by asking the court for the maximum punishment allowed by law.

Jason Ebelsheiser reads his prepared statement during his sentencing proceedings January 6, 2011 (photo Nollen/Oskaloosa Herald)

The final statement was read by someone other than the victim herself. A prepared statement was read on her behalf. In this statement the victim told of it being difficult to deal with the public ridicule, and that she can’t stand the fact that her character has been questioned. The statement went on to say that the victim has hit many low points, and that the only place she feels safe is at home. The victim in the statement said that what happened to them was wrong, and that it was Jason who made the choice to ruin his life and the lives of his family.

Jason Ebelsheiser then read his written prepared statement. He stated the most important decision of my life in now entrusted to another. Jason made mention of his wife and other family seated directly behind him during the sentencing. He stated he was remorseful that his patients felt he did anything wrong.

Ebelsheiser, with emotion showing itself in his voice, described how he had a flourishing practice that they had built from the ground up. Jason said, “I wish every day I had never learned some of the techniques I had learned.” Jason talked about his wife and how he felt so blessed to have her and his children. He spoke of how their plans for a large family were not going to happen now because of his conviction, and now prison sentence.

Jason Ebelsheiser was sentenced to 10 years in prison on the sexual abuse in the 3rd degree, 2 years for each of the counts of assault with intent to commit sex abuse and 2 years for the 1 count of tampering with records. The 3rd degree sexual abuse and tampering with evidence will run consecutively, while the 2 remaining counts will be served concurrently.

Emotions ran high as the sentencing concluded and Ebelsheiser was taken away.