Four arrests after sting operation targeting child sexual abusers

MARION COUNTY, Iowa – Four people were arrested Wednesday following a multi-agency sting operation targeting child sex offenders.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that four people were arrested after driving to Marion County with the intention of engaging in sex acts with people they believed were minors. According to court documents, all of the defendants in the investigation made these plans while talking to the minor, who was actually an undercover police officer, on the Internet.

The following people have been charged in the investigation:

• Herve Twagirumukiza, 27, of Ames was charged with child enticement, carrying a weapon, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.
• Chadwick Cooper, 40, of Colfax was charged with child enticement, distribution of obscene material to a minor and sexual exploitation of a minor.
• Jason Glasgow, 49, of Oskaloosa was charged with child enticement, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.
• Stephen Spangler, 23, of Waukee was charged with child enticement.

All defendants were booked into the Marion County Jail on varying bail amounts. As of Thursday, all except Spangler have been released. Preliminary hearings for all suspects are scheduled for October 17.

“I am so proud of all the law enforcement officers from the various agencies and prosecutors who made yesterday’s event possible,” Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholdt said in a statement. “Even as many of these officers met for the first time yesterday, they came together like a well-oiled machine to make these arrests efficiently and effectively. We will all continue to proactively pursue these predators in a uniform manner so that they cannot prey on our children! Beware of some individuals still around who are not mentioned above. We have the evidence and there will be more arrests in the coming days and months. I can’t wait to receive you in our prison.’

The sting operation involved the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Attorney’s Office, Knoxville Police Department, Pella Police Department, Mid Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Iowa State University Police Department , Des Moines. County Sheriff’s Office, Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Altoona Police Department.

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