(Council Bluffs) A Des Moines man has been arrested following an online child predator operation conducted by the Council Bluffs Police Department targeting individuals seeking to exploit children.
Thomas Benjamin Stone, of Des Moines, was taken into custody after investigators completed the operation. The investigation focused on identifying individuals allegedly attempting to exploit minors through online communications.
The Pottawattamie County Attorney’s Office has approved the following charges against Stone:
- Grooming, in violation of Iowa Code 709.8A.
- Phone dissemination of obscene materials to a minor, in violation of Iowa Code 728.15(1).
- Sexual exploitation of a minor, in violation of Iowa Code 728.12(1).
Stone is being held at the Pottawattamie County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond.
In a statement, the Council Bluffs Police Department said it remains committed to protecting children and holding accountable those who seek to exploit them. The department also encouraged parents and guardians to maintain open communication with their children about internet safety, monitor their online activity, and report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement.
