Cedar Rapids man accused of trying to engage in sexual relations with teen in Iowa City

Lang
2/21/24

Iowa City Police have arrested a Cedar Rapids man they say tried to arrange a sexual encounter with a minor.

63-year-old Scott Petersen of Olde Mill Court NE reportedly began communicating with what he believed to be a girl under the age of 16. Police say Petersen would decribe sex acts he wanted to perform with the girl, and he sent her dozens of photos of his penis. He allegedly tried to get the girl to video chat with him and send him graphic photos so he could masturbate to them.

Investigators say at one point Petersen told the other person there was a sale on panties, and he wanted to buy her some. He then reportedly began sending photos of tracking orders for panties he had purchased as they arrived at his house. Petersen also allegedly sent photos of eight different sex toys he said he planned to use on her.

Police set up a meeting with Petersen in Iowa City, pretending to be the girl. He was taken into custody just before 9:30 Tuesday morning. Sex toys and lubricant were allegedly found in the console of his vehicle.

Petersen is charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Telephone Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Minor, and Enticing a Minor for Sexual Purposes. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum of 32 years in prison.