Centerville police are investigating a case involving the alleged online exploitation of a minor following an undercover operation conducted earlier this month.
According to court documents, Anthony Shimer, 35, of Moravia communicated on social media with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. Investigators say the account actually belonged to an undercover officer. Authorities allege that during the conversation, the man made inappropriate requests and discussed plans to meet for unlawful conduct.
Police also claim that during the exchange, the Shimer sent inappropriate images. Based on the investigation, officers served a warrant on February 10 and took Shimer into custody. Shimer is currently being held in the Appanoose County Jail.
As of this report, no bond or preliminary hearing has been set.
Shimer faces charges of sexual exploitation of a minor—cause to engage in an act, a Class B felony; grooming, a Class D felony; and first-offense telephone dissemination of obscene material to a minor, an aggravated misdemeanor.
Editors Note: All information was obtained from court documents related to the ongoing investigation.
