AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Police have made an arrest in a sexual exploitation case. Authorities say in February, Iowa State University Police detectives began an investigation after receiving information from law enforcement agencies in Texas. The information was related to an ISU student who was communicating with minor children using social media and chat applications. The conversations were sexual in nature and included details about sex acts with minor children. On March 3, 2025, 43-year-old Patrick A. Connerley, of Hubbard, Iowa, was arrested and charged with the following:

• Sexual exploitation of a minor, a B Felony, Iowa Code section 728.12

• Enticing a minor under 16, a D Felony, Iowa Code section 710.10

• Grooming, a D Felony, Iowa Code section 709.8A

Investigators arrested Connerley after he arrived at an Ames location to meet with the minor. ISU Police were assisted in this investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Rains County (TX) Sheriff’s

Office, the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, and the Central Iowa Drug Task Force (CIDTF).