The Lawyer for Ben Trane, the former owner of the Midwest Academy in Keokuk asked for a new trial during a sentencing hearing today in Lee County Circuit Court. The request was denied by the judge. Trane has been sentenced to nine years in prison followed by ten years of supervised release. The judge’s order also requires Trane to register as a sex offender.
A jury convicted Trane in December on charges stemming from sexual abuse and child endangerment at the school between September of 2014 and January of 2016. Allegations of Mental and Sexual abuse lead to a raid of the facility in 2016 involving multiple agencies including the FBI.
Trane is asking for a new trial for his conviction for child sex abuse, exploitation, and child endangerment charges.
(this story is updated from a previous story)
