SUMNER -- Authorities on Friday charged the Sumner police chief with assaulting a minor.

The Bremer County Sheriff's Department charged longtime Sumner Police Chief Arlin Rieck with assault, a simple misdemeanor. Bremer County authorities levied the charges at the recommendation of the Black Hawk County Attorney's Office, said Bremer County Sheriff Dewey Hildebrandt.

Hildebrandt's department conducted an investigation and then turned the case over to Black Hawk County Attorney Tom Ferguson. The out-of-county deferment is common when authorities perceive potential conflicts of interest.

"We said from the very beginning for this process to play out we needed to let the system play out," Hildebrandt said. " … And that we would go with whatever the recommendation of the assisting county attorney."

Bremer County Deputy Dennis Miller served papers to Rieck on Friday afternoon. Rieck's initial appearance is slated for Dec. 7.

The simple assault charge comes more than three months after Rieck allegedly assaulted Sumner adolescent Skylar Converse.

Shortly after the incident, Skylar's mother, Lisa Converse, declined comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

Several Sumner residents reported seeing red marks on Skylar's torso and photographs of apparent abrasions circulated the community via e-mail. Several pictures arrived at The Courier from the account sumnercitizens@hotmail.com.

Authorities have said little about the alleged assault.

After the incident, Sumner teen Cody Copp told The Courier he saw Rieck holding Converse's arm behind the boy's back and that the youth was held against a bench. The injuries reportedly occurred after Rieck allegedly confronted the Sumner boys about jumping from a bridge into a creek, Copp said.

Sumner youths have reportedly received mixed messages from town authorities about the acceptability of the practice.

After the incident, the city posted a sign at the bridge, accessible from City Park, that instructs people against jumping off, said Councilman Billy Lemkuhl. But the activity was not prohibited by city ordinance, he said shortly after the incident.

Lemkuhl, who learned of the charges against Rieck on Friday, said he knows of no disciplinary action being taken against the police chief.

"We'll just see what happens," Lemkuhl said. " … Let the system take its course."

Rieck could not be reached for comment.

A simple misdemeanor is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a maximum fine of $625.

Contact Karen Heinselman at (319) 291-1581 or karen.heinselman@wcfcourier.com.