Additional information has been released on the arrests of a former Jefferson couple for alleged sex abuse incidents.

According to court documents, an investigation was started by the Jefferson Police Department this past June about a previous domestic abuse assault between a husband and wife, 37-year-old Benjamin Ellingson and 39-year-old Shanda Ellingson when they were living in Jefferson. Benjamin was arrested and booked into the Greene County Jail. After posting bond, Benjamin and Shanda went missing on June 5th.

While law enforcement were searching for the couple, a search warrant was executed on June 10th for recovered USB drives from Benjamin and Shanda’s residence. The USB drives had nude photographs of two juvenile victims.

Then on June 21st, the police department received video footage from an interview that the Iowa Department of Human Services did with a juvenile victim that alleged Benjamin forced her to perform two sex acts in exchange for money, and oral sex in exchange for him to purchase an animal for her. The interview also contained information about the victims being forced to send Benjamin nude photos. One of the victims said Shanda knew about the sex acts and aided and abetted in the oral sex act. 

An arrest warrant was issued and the two were eventually found in Muscatine and arrested this past Thursday. Benjamin is charged with a Class A Felony for his second offense of third degree sexual abuse-child victim member of the same household, a Class B Felony for continuous sex abuse of a child, two Class C Felonies for lascivious acts with a child-fondle or touch and sexual exploitation of a minor-caused to engage in act, and two Class D Feloines for enticing a minor under 16-sexual purpose and prostitution. Shanda is charged a Class B Felony for aiding and abetting the continuous sexual abuse of a child, a Class C Felony for her first offense for third degree sexual abuse-child victim coerced by person in authority, and two Class D Felonies for lascivious acts against a child-solicitation and enticing a minor under 16-sexual purpose.

They were booked into the Greene County Jail. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.