(Creston, IA) – The Creston Police Department reports a Polk County man was arrested Tuesday following an undercover online operation targeting individuals attempting to exploit minors. Creston Police Chief Cameron Hale says during the investigation, an officer posed as a 14-year-old female while communicating through an online platform. The suspect – 44-year-old Ryan Anderson, of Des Moines – and the undercover officer later transitioned communication to a texting platform. During the conversation, the undercover officer clearly stated she was 14 years old. Despite knowing the stated age, Anderson allegedly continued communication of a sexual nature, sent obscene material, and made arrangements to meet the purported minor for sexual purposes. He then drove to a predetermined meeting location, where he was taken into custody without incident.

Ryan Anderson was arrested and charged with:

• Enticing a Minor Under 16 for Sexual Purposes
• Grooming
• Dissemination and Exhibition of Obscene Material to a Minor

He was transported to the Union County Jail, where bond was set at $11,000 cash or surety. Anderson has since posted bond and was released, pending further court proceedings. The Creston Police Department says they remain “Committed to protecting children and proactively investigating crimes involving the exploitation of minors.”

A reminder: “All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”