Iowa City man accused of possessing child pornography

IOWA CITY — An Iowa City man has been arrested and accused of possessing child pornography and uploading it to Google Drive.

Merveille M. Lokwa, 29, was arrested Thursday, court records show. He faces one charge of purchase or possession of depiction of a minor in a sex act.

An investigation was initiated by Google in 2019, according to a criminal complaint, when the company made a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children after a user uploaded child pornographic content to a Google Drive account.

The investigation identified Lokwa, who denied possessing or uploading the content. After obtaining a search warrant, police found child pornographic videos on the man’s computer.

Lokwa has been released from the Johnson County Jail on his recognizance, provided he commits no more law violations. A trial date has not been set.

Possession of child pornography is an aggravated misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine between $855 and $8,540.

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