A mourner reads the ribbon attached to a casket arrangement Tuesday as Jennifer Waddell, of Cedar Rapids, gets a hug from her husband, Casey, after the burial service for Jetseta Gage at Linwood Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.  The Associated Press

More... • Brother wants videotape tossed - April 9, 2005 • Lawmakers say tougher laws won't get derailed - April 9, 2005 • Registry's problems in spotlight - April 7, 2005 • Details of murder released - April 7, 2005 • DHS involved in Jetseta Gage case - March 31, 2005 • House OKs changes to sex offender law - March 31, 2005 • Lawmakers vow to press for tougher sex offender law - March 30, 2005 • Over 425 attend Gage funeral - March 30, 2005 • RVAP to hold vigil for Jetseta Gage - March 30, 2005 • DHS to investigate girl's death - March 30, 2005

Jetseta Gage was laid to rest Tuesday, but it could take at least a year before her accused abductor and killer Roger Paul Bentley stands trial, law enforcement officials said.

Meanwhile, the case has some local legislators calling for tougher sex offender laws along with allocating more resources for sex offender treatment and monitoring programs.

"I think we really need to work on better notification (of sex offenders) to schools, daycares -- anywhere that works with or has contact with children or parents," said Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville. "My concern is immediate public safety and when we're looking at treatment, as people exit, we have to look at successful strategies that may or may not cost money."

Bentley, 37, of Brandon, is accused of taking Jetseta from her Cedar Rapids home Thursday evening. Johnson County Sheriff's deputies arrested Bentley and allegedly found Jetseta's body early Friday in an abandoned mobile home at 4703 Orval Yoder Turnpike in rural Johnson County. Evidence showed Bentley molested and "seriously injured" Jetseta and appeared to have blood on his clothing when arrested, according to court documents.

Preliminary autopsy results show Jetseta died of asphyxiation.

Bentley faces mandatory sentences of life in prison if convicted on first-degree murder and kidnapping charges filed Monday in Johnson County District Court. He initially was charged with felony child stealing Friday in Linn County.

Unlike kidnapping, child stealing does not specify intent of the abductor. Linn County Attorney Harold Denton said Bentley's intent had not been established when the child stealing charge was filed.

"The likelihood is we'll probably defer to Johnson County on the other charge," Denton said. "We'll be talking to Johnson County, and we'll be re-evaluating what we're going to do."

Johnson County Attorney J. Patrick White said that because of the complexity of murder case proceedings, it could take a while before Bentley enters a courtroom. White said he spoke with Denton on Tuesday but declined to say if it has been decided when and where Bentley will be tried first.

"First-degree murder charges, often times they take a year or two or sometimes more to reach the trial stage," White said.

Bentley's attorney, Peter Persaud, said he has spoken to his client but declined comment on the matter.

"We can't comment on a pending case," Persaud said.

Bentley met the Gage family through his brother, James Bentley, 33, about five years ago. The younger Bentley, who once dated Jetseta's mother, Trena Gage, is awaiting trial on a felony charge that he molested Jetseta between Jan. 1, 2002 and Nov. 17, 2004. Online court records show Trena Gage and an unidentified minor child were subpoenaed in the case March 16.

Law enforcement officials have declined to discuss possible links between the Bentley's murder case and his brother's charges.

According to the state Sex Offender Registry, Roger Bentley was convicted in 1994 of lascivious acts with a 7-year-old child in Benton County. He was sentenced to five years in prison and served two.

DCI assistant director Steven Conlon, who oversees Iowa's Sex Offender Registry, said Bentley has been on the registry since May 31, 2000. Scanlon said the online registry alerts the public of sex offenders and tracks their addresses. Because the Web site does not have a counter, Scanlon said it's unknown how often the site is viewed.

Lists also can be viewed at local law enforcement agencies, Scanlon said.

"Unfortunately, there's probably very few things that will prevent someone from preventing a crime if they really want to commit a crime," Conlon said of Jetseta's slaying.

Bentley reportedly refused treatment after release from prison. Conlon said the DCI does not keep track or recidivism among registrants.

There are about 6,300 registered sex offenders in Iowa with 390 in Johnson County. Scanlon said between 300 and 400 address changes are processed each month.

"The vast majority of registrants are required to register because of an offense against a child," Scanlon said. "If you don't wish to use it (the registry lists) or ignore the information, then it's not going to be of any benefit. It's there to help the public make safety decisions about their children."

Some legislators are pushing for a bill that would increase the penalty for lascivious acts with a child from five to 10 years in prison.

"Quite honestly, these people aren't spending enough time in prison even going through the treatment program," said Sen. David Miller, R-Fairfield.

Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, said more funding should be pumped into the state's sex offender treatment and monitoring programs.

"I think we need to look at the case, look at the facts and see where that leads us," Bolkcom said.

Reach Mike McWilliams at 339-7360 or mmcwilliams@press-citizen.com.