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Iowa man charged in Linn County with enticing a minor
May. 7, 2025 2:42 pm, Updated: May. 8, 2025 9:51 am
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CEDAR RAPIDS — A Central Iowa man was arrested Tuesday in Linn County on charges that he attempted to meet with someone he believed was 14 years old to have sex.
Ryan Ottem, 28, of Nevada, Iowa, is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, enticing a minor under 16 and phone dissemination of obscene materials to a minor.
According to a criminal complaint, Ottem contacted a spoof profile being run by police officers in April. He was told that the profile was for a 14 year old, and he continued to communicate with it — sending inappropriate pictures and asking for photos in return.
He arranged to meet with the fake 14-year-old in Cedar Rapids, where he was approached by police and admitted to talking with the fake profile. He told police he was trying to help the child.
A warrant was issued for Ottem’s arrest May 2, and he was taken into custody Tuesday. He had his first appearance in court Wednesday and was being held on a $25,000 bail.
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