A former Mason City police officer has been sentenced to up to two years in prison after being convicted of assault with the intent to commit sexual abuse. Dan Mason was convicted in June after originally being charged with third-degree sexual abuse. Mason’s former girlfriend accused him of coming over to her house in December 2004 and raping her. He says he “perceived” that everything was OK with the woman, since she kissed him back when he kissed her and allowed him to caress her. He told the court “Apparently where I thought everything was OK, apparently it was not OK.” Mason says it was a simple case of miscommunication with the victim. During today’s (Friday) sentencing hearing, Mason asked for a deferred judgment and probation, which would not be on his permanent record, to allow him to continue on with treatment for depression, as well as being able to move on in life. Mason says he never intend to hurt anybody and doesn’t quite understand how it happened, saying he just wants to start over and get on with his life. Mason is also facing two other trials in the near future…one on another charge of third degree sexual abuse; the other on charges of second degree burglary and assault with the intent to commit sexual abuse.
