AMES – A joint investigation stemming from a virtual tip about the exploitation of minors has resulted in an arrest.
In June 2021, Iowa State University Police were made aware of an ongoing investigation by the Lafayette County (Wisconsin) Sheriff’s Office into the possession of explicit pictures and videos of children. The suspect in the case, 22-year-old Benjamin Cooper, was an ISU student at the time, and the investigation revealed the materials were acquired while Cooper was on campus.
ISU Police continued the investigation, in conjunction with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and confirmed the individuals in the images and videos were underage. During the course of this investigation Cooper graduated and moved to Wisconsin.
After consultation with the Story County Attorney’s Office, Cooper was charged with six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Investigators from the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office arrested Cooper on Aug. 31, 2022. He will be extradited to Story County for further legal proceedings.
