Des Moines Man Admits Guilt, Sexual Motivation In Strangling Death Of Woman

DES MOINES, IA. -- A Des Moines man admitted in Polk County court today that he strangled a woman to death in January after he broke into her home and that the crime was sexually motivated. Kyle Alexander Jepson, 23, made the statement during a hearing in which he pleaded guilty to murder in connection with the death of Gloria Gary.

Jepson was sentenced to 50 years for the murder and 10 years on a related burglary charge, The Des Moines Register reported. He also pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary in an unrelated December break-in at the home of another Des Moines woman, Alisa Taylor.

He originally was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary in connection with Gary's death and second-degree burglary in relation to the earlier break-in. Robbery and first-degree burglary charges were dismissed as part of today's plea deal.

The Register reported that Jepson admitted in court that both crimes were sexually motivated.

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Judge Robert Blink ordered that the sentences be served consecutively, meaning Jepson will serve at least 35 years in prison before he is eligible to be considered for parole. He also will be registered as a sex offender with the state for the rest of his life.

Victim impact statements were part of today's hearing and the Register reported that a representative of Gary's family said her death has had a "tragic lasting effect on her family."

Taylor told the court that her family has moved out of state, in part because of the crimes.

Jepson spoke briefly at the hearing. He said while it may seem the crimes "happened in cold blood, the truth is I've been dealing with some schizophrenic or some spiritual demons that take control of myself," according to the Register story.

Jepson reportedly told the judge he has been receiving mental health care since being incarcerated in the Polk County Jail.

Gary, 49, was reported missing Jan. 3 and a widespread community effort took place in the hopes of finding her alive. Jepson was arrested in Utah on Jan. 12 after being spotted in Gary's car, which he admitted to stealing after he killed her. Gary's body was found hidden in her home shortly after Jepson's arrest.

The break-in at Taylor's home occurred Dec. 29. Though she was not home at the time, Taylor returned to find Jepson wearing a wig and her bra and underwear. She recognized Jepson as the son of a neighbor.

Police did not find Jepson had any connection to Gary.

Prosecutor Jeff Noble with the Polk County Attorney's Office said that Jepson's admission of a sexual motivation in the crimes enhanced some of the penalties for the charges and that he may be subject to civil commitment after he completes his prison sentence, according to the Register.

"The fact that these were sexually motivated offenses was an important part of this plea agreement for us," Noble told the Register.

Polk County Jail photo