Marion man accused of using fake names to solicit minor girls

MARION - Two 15-year-old girls led police to a 39-year-old Marion man who not only solicited sex and explicit photos from them but also used fake identities to contact about 200 other minors, a Marion officer testified Wednesday.

During a preliminary hearing, Marion Police Sgt. Lance Miller testified that police recovered numerous photos and videos of minor girls on Kevin Jauron's phone that police haven't identified at this point. Miller explained how students at Marion High School told a teacher about the two 15-year-olds who were solicited and how the investigation led to text messages, photos, videos, other alleged victims and finally Jauron's confession.

U.S. Chief Magistrate Jon Scoles found there is probable cause for the charge based on the evidence, including Jauron's confessions and his use of false identities. Because this is a crime of violence involving minors, Scooles ordered Jauron should be detained.

During the investigation, Miller said the girls admitted to having sex with Jauron in his home, sending him explicit photos and allowing Jauron to photograph them in sexual acts with him. One of the 15-year-olds also led police to Jauron's fake identification and burner phone he allegedly used to solicit some of the girls.

Miller said there was evidence that at least two girls, who were 15 at the time, were exchanging sex for money with Jauron. Some of the text messages also discussed buying alcohol for the minors and having a firearm to protect them regarding the prostitution, Miller said.

He said Jauron admitted to the sexual acts, text messages, photos and using fake identities with the girls.

Miller said a 15-year-old, who was interviewed Wednesday at the Child Protection Center in Cedar Rapids, told police 'Shelby Bartling,” a female that was one of Jauron's fake personas, requested nude photos of her and then tried to persuade her to have a threesome with 'Shelby” and 'Kevin.” 'Shelby” sent the girl a photo of herself, which led to another 15-year-old girl who had sent her photo to 'Irma Alec” ­- another fake identity of Jauron, according to Miller.

Jauron previously was convicted of third-degree harassment and assault causing bodily injury, Miller testified. In the harassment case, Jauron solicited sex from a woman and a 13-year-old girl who were using computers at the Marion Libary in 2005. Jauron looked over their shoulders to get their email addresses and then sent them the sexual emails.

Miller said the assault plea stems from an incident in 2007, according to a Cedar Rapids police report. Jauron was bowling with a 13-year-old girl and when he took her out to the parking lot to get alcohol from his car and sexually abused her.

Jauron's trial hasn't been set at this time.