An Exeter man is facing two felony charges in Polk County after allegedly attempting to meet with a fictitious underage person to engage in sexual acts.
Larry Lyons, born 1973, of Exeter, is charged with two counts of second-degree attempted statutory sodomy.
According to a probable cause statement filed by Lt. Roger Barron, with the Bolivar Police Department, on July 28, 2024, at about 3:49 p.m., another officer with the Bolivar Police Department spoke to a witness who stated Lyons, a relative by marriage, was attempting to have sexual relations with a juvenile, as the witness and another relative had set up a fictitious 16-year-old persona on Facebook that Lyons began messaging.
According to Barron’s statement, the conversation clearly identified the persona as a 16-year-old female, and the persona and Lyons exchanged sexually explicit photos. The persona used what appeared to be an adult female, and photos allegedly sent by Lyons included his genitals, some of which included his face.
During the conversation, Lyons allegedly described sexual acts he wished to perform to and with the persona, including use of devices and Lyons purchasing lingerie.
The conversation allegedly continued on Facebook Messenger and the application “Text Me,” with Lyons allegedly agreeing to go from Exeter to Bolivar to meet with the persona at a location in Bolivar.
At about 4:35 p.m. on July 28, 2024, two Bolivar officers located and made contact with Lyons at the agreed location in a vehicle he described to the persona in previous messages.
Lyons allegedly told officers he was in town to meet his “friend,” whom he identified with the persona’s name. Barron’s statement alleged that in plain view on the center console was a device used for sex that was charging, and assorted women’s clothing was located in the front seat near the device.
The two witnesses who created the persona later came to the Bolivar Police Department to render written statements and provide the phone used to conduct the messaging.
A complaint and probable cause statement was filed on Jan. 29, and a warrant was issued on Feb. 5 with an own recognizance bond set at that time.
Lyons was arrested and booked into the Polk County jail on Friday, released on his own recognizance after filing an entry of appearance. One of the conditions of his release is that he not be within 500 feet of a child under the age of 17.
