Iowa City man accused of contacting 15-year-old girl over social media for sex

An Iowa City man is accused of contacting a 15-year-old girl over social media in an attempt to get her to meet him for sex and also sent her sexually explicit photos of himself.

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Hanier Ramirez Garcia, 29, was charged Friday with grooming, a felony, and two aggravated misdemeanors, attempt to entice a minor and telephone dissemination of obscene materials to a minor. A judge ordered a $10,000 bail during his initial appearance Friday in Johnson County District Court.

According to a criminal complaint, Ramirez Garcia, through a Facebook account set up by police, made plans to meet the person he believed was a teen for sex on Oct. 27, 2024. He sent her a sexually explicit photo of himself and asked her to send “sexy photos.”

He was aware of her age because he shared his concerns about it, but he continued to contact the teen over an extended period of time, the complaint stated.

If convicted, he faces up to nine years in prison.

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com