A Sioux Center man has been found not guilty following a four-day trial on sex abuse charges.

Christopher Lane Visser, 28, Sioux Center, was acquitted of sexual abuse in the third degree. The charges stemmed from a February 2005 incident that began at Topher's Restaurant and Lounge in Sioux Center which is owned by Visser.

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The State alleged that Visser supplied liquor to a 17-year-old female employee.

The State further alleged that Visser then took the girl to his home and had sexual relations with her, without her consent and against her will.

At the start of the trial on Tuesday, Visser entered a plea of guilty to supplying alcohol to a minor, a serious misdemeanor.

Trial testimony also indicted that when questioned by the police about the incident, Visser denied ever having sexual relations with the 17-year-old girl.

Subsequently, DNA evidence collected during a sexual assault examination of the victim showed the presence of Visser's DNA.

Visser admitted at the trial that he did have sexual intercourse with the girl. He argued that it was consensual.

The victim testified that she was supplied with alcohol and became intoxicated to the extent that she and others were dancing on the bar at Topher's, and she became physically ill. She recalled Visser taking her to his home but testified to no further memories until she awoke the next morning in his bed.

She reported to her parents that she feared her boss may have sexually assaulted her. An investigation by the Sioux Center Police Department followed.

The jury deliberated for three hours before returning a not guilty verdict for Visser.