The Boone County Sheriff’s Office says an Ottumwa man attempted to have sex with a minor, who was an undercover officer, earlier this week.
Juan Himar Hernandez, 48, faces charges of grooming and enticing a minor under 16 – sexual purpose. Each of the offenses is a Class D felony.
On July 21st, court records say Hernandez performed an act through a third party and attempted to solicit, seduce, lure, or entice a person he believed was a 14-year-old child via social media to perform an illegal sex act with the minor. Officials say Hernandez attempted to meet with the minor, who was an undercover law enforcement officer, at a location in Boone.
Hernandez was arrested and transported to the Boone County Jail. He was later released after posting bond.
Hernandez’s initial court appearance is scheduled for July 30th.
Editor’s note: The article was edited for corrections.
