Cedar Rapids man charged with enticing a minor

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man was arrested Monday on charges that he attempted to meet with two girls he believed were 14 and 12 years old after telling them that he wanted to perform sex acts on them.

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Michael Nesper Keel, 60, is charged with grooming, enticing a minor under 16 and enticing a minor under 13.

According to a criminal complaint, Keel contacted a spoof profile set up by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, which portrayed a 14-year-old girl. He communicated with the fake profile over text, engaging in “graphic sexual conversation,” and asking for photographs of her.

He also asked the fake 14-year-old if she had any friends, and the officer operating the profile posed as the first girl’s 12-year-old friend, who Keel also texted graphic things to. He arranged to meet with both girls and was met by police officers when he arrived at the agreed-on location.

Keel had a first appearance in court Tuesday and is being held in the Linn County Jail on a $20,000 bond.

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