(Cedar Rapids)– A Spencer man is being charged in federal court for using the internet and telephone to lure young girls into illegal sexual activity.
A federal indictment charges John Phelps with five counts of sexual exploitation of a child, one count of sexual coercion of a child and one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a child.
Court documents say Phelps repeatedly used, persuaded or coerced a girl to engage in sexual conduct while being videotaped. Phelps is accused of using the images to produce video tapes and c-d roms.
If convicted, Phelps faces a maximum penalty of 125 years in prison and a fine of one-point-75 million dollars.
