Iowa State student Patrick Connerley, 43, a senior in horticulture, was arrested Monday and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, enticing a minor under 16 and grooming.

According to the criminal complaint, Connerley arranged a meeting with an undercover detective, who he believed to be a 15-year-old, and was taken into custody.

“[Connerley] indicated it was his plan to come pick up ‘Alexis’ on Monday 03/03/2025 and take her back to his residence for sex,” the complaint stated.

Since Feb. 26, Connerley allegedly had been texting with “Alexis” and “believes he is in a romantic relationship with ‘Alexis’ and refers to her as his girlfriend.”

The messages were sexual in nature and included the intention of photographing and recording videos of sex acts with minors, according to the criminal complaint. 

Sexual exploitation of a minor is a Class B felony, which can result in up to 25 years in prison. Enticing a minor and grooming are Class D felonies and, according to the Iowa Code, include a sentence of no more than five years and a fine of $750–$7,500.

Texas law enforcement agencies contacted the Iowa State University Police Department in February with “information related to an Iowa State student who was communicating with minors using social media and chat applications,” according to KCCI.

ISUPD Chief Michael Newton did not respond to the Daily’s interview request Tuesday.

According to court records, in 2015, Connerley was charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor: cause to engage in act, enticing a minor and telephone dissemination of obscene material to a minor. It was a first offense.

Connerley pled guilty and served a ten-year sentence with five years of probation and was placed on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. He appealed and was removed from the registry in 2021.