How Could You? Hall of Shame-John Lusk

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Charles City, Iowa, foster grandparent John Lusk “is scheduled for October trials in Floyd and Woodbury counties.  Both involve minors and sexual abuse charges.”

“On June 6,[2014] the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office arrested 73 year old John Lusk.  Lusk is accused of touching an eight year old at Lusk’s home in Floyd June of 2010.  According to the criminal complaint, the child was touched inappropriately while sleeping.  The second charge, indecent contact with a child, stems from this past March.  Lusk is accused of inappropriately touching a different child.

According to city officials, Lusk volunteered to work with children in the past.  In fact, from October of 2012 thought April 2014, he volunteered with the Foster Grandparent Program based in Charles City.  A program designed where volunteers go to local schools to mentor children.

Officials we spoke with say the Foster Grandparent Program does conduct thorough background checks on volunteers, and school leaders with Clear Lake and Osage both, say the program is very valuable, only seeing positive results from it.

Investigators say there are certain things parents can look for when it comes to the safety of their kids in any program that puts them in contact with others.

“You have to do a background check. You have to talk to the people in charge of any program that’s out there. You have to go to people that have been through the program, and do your own background check, you have to talk to people. It’s just communication,” said Chief Deputy, Jeff Crooks with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.

The charges against Lusk were filed months after he left the Foster Grandparent Program, one reason why nothing would have turned up on a background check.

Either way, Chief Deputy Crooks says organizers are doing the right thing by doing the checks first.

“You can get in depth as far as you want in a background check.  Many people will just hear that this is a good place to possibly send their kids to certain schools, certain preschool lets say, but you really have to check.  You really have to dig into what this school is all about.”

Lusk is also being brought up on similar charges in Woodbury County.  He was charged in June with sexual abuse of children in incidents that allegedly happened around a decade ago.   Lusk is pleading not guilty to the charges in both counties.  We reached out to Lusk’s attorney for comment, but have not had a response.”

Volunteer accused of sex abuse[Kimt 10/7/14 by Emily Boster]

“A jury of 12 has found John Lusk guilty on all counts.

It was a short trial and an even shorter wait as jurors returned with a verdict after only a few hours of deliberating. On Thursday, 74-year-old Lusk was found guilty of two counts of second-degree sexual abuse with two different children on two separate occasions.

Before jurors entered their verdict, attorneys spoke to the jury for the last time in closing arguments. “She had no reason to think that when she trusted her children with the defendant, that he would take advantage of that,” said Assistant Attorney General Susan Krisko. Krisko made it clear to the jury this was not an isolated incident. “This wasn’t just a one-time thing, this started back in Sioux City,” said Krisko. Krisko is referring to two similar charges Lusk faced in Woodbury County. Krisko says the sexual abuse that Lusk imposed on his victims may not have ended back then, but it needs to end now. “It is not your duty to determine the Sioux City event. We presented that evidence to you show you that what he did now, in your county was a crime and it wasn’t an accident,” said Krisko.

“It doesn’t appear that John touched him in any manner that was sexual,” said defense attorney, Susan Flander. Flander argues that the evidence to convict Lusk of second-degree sexual abuse against two young children is just not there. “If the child makes an allegation and tells it in an interview doesn’t mean the allegation is true. That’s what you as the jury decide,” said Flander.

On Tuesday, a young girl took the stand who claims that Lusk sexually abused her. She says that one evening back in 2010, Lusk approached her as she struggled to fall asleep. She says Lusk asked her if he could rub her back, and according to Lusk, she agreed. Lusk then began rubbing her back, but would soon place his hands in between her legs, allegedly coming in contact with her private parts.

When confronted about the allegation on the stand, Lusk says he was simply trying to help the child fall asleep and anything else that may have happened was a simple misunderstanding.

Also on Tuesday, a young boy spoke to jurors about his encounter with Lusk. The boy accused Lusk of touching him inappropriately while the two were around other adults.

According to prosecutors, it was only after the young girl heard of the allegations from the young boy that she found the courage to come forward with her story.

In a statement from prosecutor, Denise Patters, she hopes this sends a message to the community that Floyd County is willing to try any type of sexual abuse cases, to help protect others from becoming victims. She says she’s happy to see justice has been served.

During the time of the alleged sexual abuse, Lusk volunteered as part of the Foster Grandparent Program based in Charles City. However, the victims in this case were not involved in that program in any way.

Due to the fact that these were forcible felonies, Lusk was immediately taken into custody where he waits for sentencing. A date has yet to be set for sentencing. If convicted, Lusk could spend the rest of his life behind bars.”

Lusk guilty on two counts of sexual abuse[Kimt 5/7/15 by Levi Ismail]

“A 74-year-old Floyd man convicted earlier this year of child sexual abuse has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the crimes.

The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that John Lusk was sentenced Friday to the maximum of 25 years on each count of second-degree sexual abuse. Judge DeDra Schroeder also denied Lusk’s motion for a new trial.

Prosecutors say Lusk must serve at least 35 years before he’s eligible for parole.

Lusk was convicted of sexually abusing two 8-year-old children at different times.

Lusk was a volunteer with the Charles City Foster Grandparent Program, working with children at local schools and day cares.

Lusk also faces trial in Woodbury County on three more charges of second-degree sexual abuse.”

74-year-old Iowa man sentenced to prison for child sex abuse[KWWL 7/25/15]

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