Authorities are investigating a case involving the alleged online exploitation of a minor after a suspect reportedly communicated with someone he believed to be an underage girl through social media.
On February 2 at approximately 8:54 p.m., the Centerville Police Department began investigating a reported case involving the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor.
According to a criminal complaint, Travis Egley, 54, of Bloomfield, communicated through a social media website with an individual he believed to be an underage female. The individual was an undercover law enforcement officer. During the online conversations, Egley allegedly made inappropriate comments of a sexual nature, discussed meeting in person, and requested explicit photographs.
Court records state that on February 27, Egley arranged to meet the underage female (undercover officer) at a parking lot on West Water Street. When he arrived at the location, he was taken into custody without incident.
Egley was transported to the Appanoose County Jail, where he is currently being held. He waived his preliminary hearing.
He faces charges of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor — Causing a Minor to Engage in an Act, a Class B felony; Grooming, a Class D felony; and Enticing a Minor Under 16 for Sexual Purposes, a Class D felony.
Editors Note: All information was obtained from court documents related to the ongoing investigation.
