A Waterloo man was arrested Wednesday after investigators said he exchanged sexually explicit messages with people he believed were teenage girls and arranged to meet them for sex.
The Seneca County Sheriff's Office said Nicolas P. Champion, 25, was taken into custody at about 6 a.m. Sept. 9 following an investigation led by the agency's Family Services Unit.
Champion was charged with attempted first-degree disseminating indecent material to a minor, attempted promoting a sexual performance by a child, attempted second-degree rape and attempted third-degree rape, deputies said. He was also charged with two counts of attempted endangering the welfare of a child.
Investigators allege Champion communicated with people he believed were 14- and 16-year-old girls. The sheriff's office said he sent sexually explicit images during those communications and requested similar images in return.
Deputies also allege Champion arranged a sexual encounter with the people he believed were juveniles. The release did not identify how investigators began the case or say whether any children were directly involved.
Undersheriff Melinda Marquart credited members of the Family Services Unit with conducting what she described as an extensive investigation. She said the agency continues to investigate and pursue people accused of targeting vulnerable residents.
Champion was being held at the Seneca County Correctional Facility following his arrest. The sheriff's office said he was expected to be arraigned later in Seneca County's Centralized Arraignment Part Court.
The release did not provide an arraignment time or information about any additional court dates. The investigation was announced by the Seneca County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday afternoon.
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