Christopher King, the former Burlington City Councilman and Photography studio owner accused of sexually abusing several teenage customers will be tried in Des Moines County.
Court Records show that the motion for a change of venue filed by the 40 year old King’s defense team was denied on Thursday. King’s attorney, Jennifer Bailey, sought to move the case out of Des Moines County due to King’s former status in the community and the amount of press attention the case has received.
Police say they have identified more than three dozen girls between the ages of 13 and 18 who have said they were molested by King. In most of the cases, police say, King met the girls through his photography studio, offered them alcohol, then drove them to remote areas in the county where they were attacked.
Some victims say that King even attempted to give them money to have sex with him–if they refused, police say he would attempt to rape them.
He’s been charged with seven counts of sexual abuse, one count of assault with penetration of genitalia or the anus, dissemination of obscene material to minors, and indecent exposure.
