Hiawatha man charged with sexual exploitation after attempting to meet up with minor

A Hiawatha man was arrested last week after police say he attempted to meet up with a 15-year-old, who was actually a police officer using a spoof account on a website known for prostitution.

Douglas Norem, 50, is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and interference with official acts.

According to a criminal complaint, Norem contacted a spoof profile for a 15-year-old girl that Cedar Rapids police Investigators were operating. Norem asked for an explicit photo of the girl and arranged to meet her Thursday at a restaurant in northeast Cedar Rapids.

When met by a police investigator, he attempted to run, but was caught and taken into custody, the complaint states. He had his first appearance in court Friday and was released from the Linn County Jail after posting a $25,000 bond.

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