A Des Moines chef pleaded guilty to sexual abuse on Thursday, April 23, following a domestic assault and violation of a no-contact order multiple times last fall.
Enosh Kelley, 55, was revered for his cuisine as a chef at French restaurant Bistro Montage and was named a James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Best Chef Midwest in 2009. The restaurant closed in 2016, but he and chef David Baruthio announced plans to revive the restaurant in October.
The plans fell through after Kelley was arrested and charged with domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury, and three counts of contempt for violating a no-contact order after he was accused of throwing the victim to the ground and striking her multiple times on Oct. 3.
In November, Kelley was charged with sexual abuse stemming from a 2023 incident. An adult victim reported in late October that Kelley allegedly sexually assaulted her while she was asleep and incapacitated by pain medication for a head injury. Police said evidence indicates that photos were taken of the victim during the abuse.
Court filings show he posted multiple bonds since the original charge, including $40,000 for the two November violations of a no-contact order. Kelley has been in the custody of the Polk County Jail since Nov. 18, according to an inmate listing.
Kelley initially pleaded not guilty to domestic assault and demanded a speedy trial, but later waived that right, court filings show.
Kelley accepted a plea agreement that dismisses the domestic assault charge and an invasion of privacy charge, according to his attorney, Tim McCarthy II. Time served at the Polk County Jail will go toward the no-contact order violations.
A sentencing hearing is June 12 at the Polk County Criminal Courthouse.
Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines chef Enosh Kelley pleads guilty to sexual abuse charge
Reporting by Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
