A rural Glenwood man was arrested and charged with soliciting a juvenile through electronic communication to engage in sexual conduct, it was stated by the Pope County Sheriff’s Office.

After an investigation by the Pope County Sheriff’s Office, Kyle Lieser, 26, of rural Glenwood, was arrested without incident, on February 8, it was stated in a news release issued Feb. 12 by the Pope County Sheriff’s office.

An undercover Pope County Deputy received a random request via social media from Lieser wishing to communicate. Lieser believed that he was talking with a child under the age of 15-years-old. Lieser’s communication with the child, described sexual conduct, solicited the child to engage in sexual conduct and distributed materials that depict sexual conduct. Lieser drove attempting to meet the child in Pope County for the purpose of sexual conduct, according to the Pope County Sheriff’s Office.

Lieser appeared in Pope County Court to face the felony charges of soliciting a child or believe to be a child through electronic communication to engage in sexual conduct and engaging in electronic communication relating or describing sexual conduct.

Sexual exploitation of youth and online solicitation of minors continues to be a statewide problem, it was stated in the news release.  The Pope County Sheriff’s Office is working diligently to address the issue within our local communities. If anyone believes a child is being solicited online for sex, they are encouraged to report it to their local law enforcement, it was stated. 

The Pope County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by the Minnesota BCA Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Glenwood Police Department.