News : Two Benton County men jailed for sexual abuse of children

Travis Lund: Accused of sexual abuse of 10-year-old girl.

Eric Gilliam: Accused of trying to sexually assault 13-year-old boy.

Benton County authorities arrested two men Wednesday for assault, including a man who they say sexually abused a young girl, and a convicted sex offender from Arkansas who tried to sexually assault a young boy.

Travis J. Lund, 30, of Newhall, is charged with second-degree sexual abuse and lascivious acts with a child, a 10-year-old female. Court documents indicate that he inappropriately touched the girl.

Both charges are felonies.

Lund appeared in court and was released to the supervision of the Department of Corrections. He was ordered to call a probation officer, undergo a substance abuse evaluation and follow the recommendations of the evaluator. He was also ordered to stay away from the victim and her immediate family.

Another Benton County man, Eric M. Gilliam, 32, of Keystone, and formerly of Arkansas, was arrested for assault with intent to commit sexual abuse and child endangerment.

Court documents filed in Gilliam's case indicate that he is a convicted sex offender (the result of a case in 2008, in Arkansas).

In the current Benton County case, Gililam is accused of kissing a 13-year-old male on the lips. The boy told investigators that the incident made him feel uncomfortable. He also said that Gilliam has hugged him in the past.

Both Gilliam’s charges are aggravated misdemeanors.

Gilliam was transported to the Benton County Jail, where he was being held in lieu of $4,000 cash bond.

Both Gilliam and Lund have criminal records, according to the Iowa Courts web site.

Lund has been sentenced previously for OWI, drug possession and criminal mischief.

Gilliam was arrested in Iowa in June for a parole violation after his parole was transferred from Arkansas to the Iowa Department of Corrections.