Cates

A former Marshalltown tattoo artist who is already accused of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse related to alleged inappropriate behavior with clients is now facing two more charges, including one for felony sexual abuse.

The latest charges against Mark Anthony Cates, 27, of Ames, were filed on Tuesday, according to court records — one for third degree sexual abuse, a Class C felony, after Cates allegedly “assaulted the victim and performed a sex act against her will” at The Ink Factory, where he was formerly employed, on Oct. 11, 2024.

The second new charge is for another count of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor, stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred on Oct. 3, 2024. Cates was terminated from The Ink Factory after the owner became aware of his alleged behavior.

Cates was arrested and taken to the Marshall County Jail on Wednesday, and he remains in custody on a $25,000 cash bond. A preliminary hearing on the two new charges is set for Aug. 8 at 9:30 a.m., and he is set to be arraigned on the first allegation, for which he was arrested on June 30, on Aug. 6 at 9 a.m.