Published: October 02, 2009 11:12 pm      

Ladora man accused of seeking sex with a minor

By Jeniece Smith

Herald Staff Writer

CLINTON — A 52-year-old Ladora man accused of traveling to Clinton for the purpose of engaging in sex acts with a minor was arrested Thursday, and made his initial appearance in Clinton County District Court on Friday morning.

Darrell D. Ward faces a charge of enticing away a minor, a serious misdemeanor.

An affidavit states that Ward initiated an online chat conversation March 25 “with a person he reasonably believed to be a 13-year-old, then 14-year-old female.” According to the report, “the person reasonably believed to be a 13-year-old female turned 14 years of age in August 2009,” and Ward had numerous online chat conversations between April 2009 and October 2009 with the person he thought to be a minor younger than age 16.

The affidavit alleges that several of the conversations included discussion about Ward traveling to the Clinton area to engage in sex acts with the individual. He is accused of traveling to the city Thursday with a purpose of meeting and engaging in sex acts with a minor, and was placed under arrest by police.

According to the law, enticing away a minor is defined as, “Without authority and with the intent to commit an illegal act upon a minor under the age of 16, the person attempts to entice away a minor under the age of 16, or attempts to entice away a person reasonably believed to be under the age of 16.”

Assistant County Attorney Ross Barlow said the phrase “a person reasonably believed to be under the age of 16” can sometimes indicate the involvement of an undercover officer, but he could not confirm an officer was involved in this case.

“In the state of Iowa, there is what is called the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force,” said Barlow. “Sometimes, that includes operation as an undercover officer online. I can’t tell you that has happened in this case.”

Ladora is a town of about 300, located approximately 100 miles west of Clinton.

He remains in custody following his Thursday arrest, with bond set at $6,500. His preliminary hearing and arraignment is set for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 9.