Hunter
04/01/24
A Coralville man was arrested Friday afternoon after allegedly trying to have sexual relations with a minor.
Police say 27-year-old Gael Mpia of 22nd Avenue allegedly made contact with an individual he believed to be under sixteen years of age. He stated that he would provide the minor with marijuana and knew a place where they could have sex.
Mpia reportedly made arrangements to meet the minor at a spot in the Old Capitol Mall and would show them a private area where they could smoke and have sexual relations. Officers arrested Mpia when he arrived at approximately 3:40pm, and a post-arrest search allegedly turned up 2.3 grams of marijuana on his person.
Mpia was charged with Enticing a Minor under 16 for Sexual Purposes, a Class D felony.
Earlier in the week, Mpia was charged with theft after an incident at the Kum & Go on the Coralville Strip. At around 2:30am Wednesday, he was nearby the store wrapped up in a hotel blanket when an older individual offered help. The person gave Mpia some clothes to warm up and went inside the store to buy some snacks, leaving his backpack with Mpia. When he went back to Mpia’s location, he was gone.
The person asked witnesses if they saw Mpia, and they reported that he took off running east towards the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The person mentioned Mpia by name as they gave police a description of the clothes provided to him.
According to the police report, Mpia had been evicted from a hotel room earlier, and open containers of alcohol were reportedly found. He reportedly had the odor of ingested alcohol at the time.
Police eventually found Mpia on the 6th floor of the UIHC. He allegedly admitted to drinking again. He refused a post arrest PBT.
Mpia was charged with 5th degree Theft against an older individual and Public Intoxication.
In addition to the felony charge Friday, Mpia could be sentenced to over six years in prison if convicted on all counts.