Three men arrested in Louisa County internet sting operation
A three-month investigation by the Louisa County Sheriff's Department of men looking to sexually exploit minors over the internet has led to the arrest of three men on grooming charges.Lee Allen Christenson, 64, of Davenport, along with Arlo Blue Harris, 54 and Keith Eugene Leopard, 58, both of Fruitland, each are charged in Louisa County District Court with one count of grooming.
Lee Allen Christenson
Source: Louisa County Sheriff's Department
The charge is a Class D felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of five years.
Christenson also is charged with Class D felony unlawful delivery of marijuana.
Arlo Blue Harris
Source: Louisa County Sheriff's Department
Leopard also is charged with telephone dissemination of obscene material to a minor, an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a prison sentence of two years.
Keith Eugene Leopard
Source: Louisa County Sheriff's Department
According to the arrest affidavits filed by Louisa County Sheriff's investigator Kary Conger, each of the men sent a message to a young-looking female on Facebook.
Christenson sent his message on March 13, while Harris sent a message of March 19, and Leopard sent a message on April 10.
Each of the men communicated with someone they believed to be a 15-year-old female, but they were chatting with an undercover police officer posing as an underage girl. Each of the men made references to having sexual relations with the minor.
On April 24, Christenson said he would send the girl marijuana through the mail. On May 3, the United States Postal Service confirmed it had received a package from Christenson that contained marijuana, a one-hit pipe and a love note from Christenson. The package included Christenson's return address.
From April 10 through May 18, Leopard sent obscene materials over the internet to the undercover agent acting as a minor.
All three men were arrested June 26 and booked into the Louisa County Jail. Leopard was released after posting $7,000 bond through a bonding company. Harris was released after posting $5,000 bond through a bonding company. Christenson was released after posting a $31,300 bond through a bonding company.
Christenson is scheduled to be arraigned on his charges during a hearing July 17 in Louisa County District Court. Harris and Leopard are scheduled to be arraigned on their respective charges on July 31 in District Court.
