Iowa City man accused of trying to entice a minor into sex acts

Lang
11/16/23

Iowa City Police have arrested a man they say tried to solicit sex acts from what he believed to be a minor.

35-year-old Richard Downing of the Town & Campus Apartments on Arthur Street was booked into the Johnson County Jail just before 1:15 Wednesday afternoon. Arrest records indicate throughout October and November Downing communicated with a subject he believed to be under the age of 16. Among the allegations against Downing are that he asked the subject about previous sex acts, offered to meet the other person to “cuddle”, and offered to perform oral sex on the person. Police say Downing also offered to wear a condom in case the two wanted to have sex.

Downing arranged to meet the other person at a pre-determined location. That’s where he was arrested by police and charged with Enticing a Minor for Sexual Purposes. If convicted, he faces a maximum of five years in prison.