Bachelder Faces New Charges in Pattern of Protective Order Violation

If no one funds local news, your community is just rumors. Help Decorah News bring facts home. DECORAH — Kelly Jon Bachelder, 49, of Decorah, was arrested last week for violating an Order of Protection by viewing the social media account of a family member of one of the protected individuals. The violation occurred between December 22, 2025, and January 20, 2026, shortly after Bachelder's release from jail on January 13. The Order of Protection, issued December 8, 2025, explicitly prohibits stalking or harassing family members of the previously named protected parties. This is not Bachelder's first offense involving social media or contact restrictions. Between July 2024 and March 2025, he repeatedly accessed a victim's TikTok profile in violation of a no-contact order, resulting in two counts of contempt. According to the initial criminal complaint obtained by DecorahNews.com, he viewed the profile at least 15 times. These and other violations can be traced back to, 2022, when Bachelder was previously charged with using hidden cameras to capture numerous images of his two adopted daughters in what prosecutors described as various states of nudity. In November 2025, he pled guilty to and was later sentenced on the charges, including sexual exploitation of a minor and contempt for violating a no-contact order. He was placed on supervised probation and remains subject to a special sentence under Iowa law, which includes participation in a sexual offense treatment program. Following the most recent violation, Bachelder was arrested and transported to the Winneshiek County Jail. The family member has formally requested and been granted a no-contact order against him. Court proceedings in the case are ongoing. A trial is scheduled for February 2, 2026, at 2 p.m. Stay connected and informed! Join the free newsletter for curated news, trending topics, and insider perspectives you won't find anywhere else.