A 30-year-old LeClaire man has been arrested on 10 felony charges following an investigation into suspected child sexual abuse material, according to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the sheriff’s office, investigators got information from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) program about a person in the region who was allegedly holding or sharing illicit photos of minors.
On Friday, October 2, deputies and officers from the LeClaire Police Department carried out a search warrant at a property in the 300 block of Dodge Street in LeClaire, Scott County, near the Quad Cities metropolitan region.
During the search, investigators removed electronic devices from the premises for forensic analysis.
During the inspection of the devices, authorities discovered a substantial number of photographs and videos depicting kids doing sexual actions.
Following the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Austin Howland Dana, 30, of LeClaire, on 10 counts of purchasing or possessing a portrayal of a juvenile in a sexual act under Iowa Code 728.12(3)(C).
Dana was arrested at his home and transferred to the Scott County Jail.
According to the sheriff’s office, the LeClaire Police Department and the Internet Crimes Against Children program assisted in the investigation.
Authorities highlighted that the inquiry is ongoing. Additional discoveries or prospective developments were not reported in the information provided.
The charges are allegations, and Dana is deemed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Officials have not given any additional information about upcoming court appearances or potential new charges.
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