A Keokuk man has pleaded guilty to enticing a minor under 16 for sexual purposes, a class D felony, according to a press release from the Lee County Attorney’s Office.
Matthew Wayne Sly, 30, of Keokuk, pleaded guilty as charged on Wednesday, March 27. The felony is punishable by up to 5 years within the Iowa Department of Corrections.
Sly also pleaded guilty to five charges of phone dissemination of obscene material to minors, an aggravated misdemeanor, each punishable of up to two years within the Iowa Department of Corrections. These offenses also carry Sex Offender Registration requirements.
According to the court, from Aug. 24, 2023, through Aug. 28, 2023, Sly did entice and arrange to meet a person he reasonably believed to be a 14-year-old minor with the intention of committing an illegal sex act on said person. During this time period, Sly also sent obscene materials and videos to the person believed to be a 14-year-old minor. Jury trial commenced on March 26 and after one day of evidence presented by the Lee County Attorney’s Office, the defendant appeared on March 27, and pleaded guilty as charged to all six counts with no sentencing concessions being made.
The incident was investigated by the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, and the case was prosecuted by the Lee County Attorney. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Keokuk Police Department and the Fort Madison Police Department assisted with the investigation and arrest.
Sentencing is being held on May 20, at the South Lee County Courthouse in Keokuk.
