(Guthrie Center) A Guthrie County man faces charges following a sex abuse investigation.
According to a press release from the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, on February 11, 2025, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office notified the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office about an active sex abuse investigation, and authorities believe the crime occurred in Guthrie County.
It was alleged that on February 3, 2025, a fourteen-year-old female ran away from home in Des Moines and was approached by an unknown adult male near QuikTrip. The male offered to buy the female alcohol and drive around, to which the female agreed.
The female became intoxicated throughout the night and eventually lost consciousness. When the female awoke, she was in the male’s residence, where the two had sexual intercourse.
The following day, the male dropped off the female at or near her high school, and the female reported the incident to local law enforcement.
License plate readers and security footage helped the Polk County Sheriff’s Office identify a vehicle and suspect of interest.
The fourteen-year-old female positively identified the suspect as Max Pierce of Panora, Iowa, and she also identified his vehicle.
The female explained Pierce’s residence in detail and shared her observations.
The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Max Pierce’s residence on February 12, 2025, at 12:20 p.m. Evidence was seized under the search warrant.
Max Pierce was present and interviewed. He admitted to having sex with the female and taking her to school the following day.
Max L. Pierce, age 39, of Panora, Iowa, was arrested for a Sex Abuse 3rd Degree and transported to the Guthrie County Jail. Additional charges are pending.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
