A Minnesota man is facing felony charges after authorities say he engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover Sioux County Sheriff’s deputy posing as a 15-year-old girl.
According to the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, 59-year-old William Dale Rhea of Albany, Minnesota, was arrested Friday, July 3, following an undercover online investigation.
Authorities say Rhea initiated and engaged in explicit conversations with an undercover deputy who was posing as a 15-year-old juvenile female from Sioux County. During the investigation, investigators say Rhea traveled to Cherokee and contacted the undercover officer to arrange a meeting.
Rhea was arrested at approximately 1:19 p.m. Friday and transported to the Sioux County Jail.
He has been charged with:
•Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (Class B Felony)
•Grooming (Class D Felony)
•Telephone Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Minor (Aggravated Misdemeanor)
According to court records, the alleged offenses are listed as occurring on June 5.
Court records also show the bond was set at $32,000 cash or surety. Rhea later posted bond through a bondsman and was released from custody on Saturday, July 4.
The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Cherokee Police Department and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office during the investigation.
