A Cherokee County man is facing multiple felony charges in Sioux County after investigators say digital storage devices and printed materials linked to him contained child sexual abuse material.
According to court documents, 66-year-old Timothy Scott Waddell of Aurelia has been charged with six counts of Purchase or Possession of Depiction of a Minor in a Sex Act, all Class D felonies.
Investigation Began After Materials Were Located in Hawarden Home
Court records state that between October of 2024 and March of 2025, officers with the Hawarden Police Department received several digital media storage devices and a binder containing suspected child sexual abuse material that had been located inside a residence at 1308 Central Avenue in Hawarden. The property had previously been owned by Waddell.
The materials were sent to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s Cyber Crime Bureau for forensic examination.
DCI Report Identified Confirmed Child Sexual Abuse Material
According to charging documents, investigators received a report from the DCI on June 18th indicating the devices contained 23 picture files of confirmed child sexual abuse material. Authorities allege five of the charges stem from individual image files found on one of the seized devices, while the sixth charge involves a printed image located inside the binder. The documents state the device and binder were linked to Waddell.
Arrest and Bond
According to the Sioux County Jail log, Waddell was arrested Sunday, June 29th, by the Hawarden Police Department. He was later released after posting a $30,000 cash or surety bond.
Court records identify Waddell as a male. The jail roster incorrectly listed his sex as female at the time of booking.
