ANKENY, Iowa — An Ankeny man has been arrested on several charges of sexual abuse and indecent contact with a minor.

71-year-old Stephen Terpening was arrested on December 26, 2024, with several charges of assault and indecent contact with a minor.

Terpening is charged with four counts of second-degree sexual abuse, three counts of third-degree sexual abuse, indecent contact with a child, and lascivious contact with a child.

According to court documents the assaults began occurring in late 2014 and continued through the fall of 2024. The court documents state that Terpening admits to the assaults.

Terpening is being held at the Polk County Jail on a $230,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on January 7.