In February 2024, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) notified law enforcement of an individual suspected of uploading child sexual exploitation material to social media accounts. The suspect was identified as an ISU student (now former student).
Iowa State University Police detectives began an investigation into the possession and distribution of child pornography which spanned over a year.
On May 27, 2025, Jacob P. Sauer, age 21 of Olathe, Kansas, was arrested and charged with the following:
• Sexual exploitation of a minor, a B Felony, Iowa Code section 728.12(1)
• Possession of depictions of minors engaged in sex acts, a D Felony, Iowa Code section 728.12(3) —eight counts
• Possession of a controlled substance, a Serious Misdemeanor, Iowa Code section 124.401
Sauer was arrested in Kansas where he is being held pending extradition back to Iowa.
ISU Police were assisted in this investigation by the Olathe (KS) Police Department and the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.