MASON CITY – An allegedly “transitioning” suspect of unknown origins weaseled his way into a Mason City home filled with adults and children, and as he allegedly honed his skills in victimizing the vulnerable during his stay, a task force from far out West traveled here to introduce him to justice for the most heinous of crimes and mercifully rid him from our community.
NIT has learned that on September 24, 2025, police from Richland, Washington and an associated task force, along with federal Homeland Security Investigations, executed coordinated search and arrest warrants in Richland, Washington and Mason City, Iowa as part of ongoing child exploitation investigations.
Joseph Ralland Whipple (pictured at top from an October arrest, via a Missouri sheriff’s office that NIT made contact with), age 34, was arrested in Mason City on federal charges including the production, distribution, receipt, and possession of sexually explicit images of minors in Tri-Cities, Washington. He was also charged in Benton County, Washington, Superior Court with multiple counts of:
- Rape of a child in the first degree
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Child molestation in the first degree
These investigations involved the seizure of electronic devices, with prosecution led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern District of Washington and the Northern District of Iowa, along with the Benton County Prosecutor’s Office, also in Washington state. As indicated above, further evidence is being gathering locally which may aid in the development of a case. In fact, records show a search warrant was applied for and executed in Cerro Gordo county on Whipple all the way back on February 24, 2025, and the gathering of evidence appears to be on-going.
According to a source that discussed the matter with NIT under certain conditions, Whipple got into a local house with the apparent permission of residents, but not the landlord, and lived there for several months in 2025. He did also obtain employment, the source said, but hesitated to name the establishment he worked at. This domicile that Whipple was living in evidently contained adults and children. Police are investigating what, if anything, transpired while Whipple was in the house, and may eventually bring further charges. NIT was also made aware that Whipple is “transitioning” and the “pronouns” this individual may be using at this time may be fluid.
According to other reports on the case, Whipple is connected to another suspect, 57-year-old Charles L. Seltz out of Washington state. The report states that the “two men are under arrest after a Tri-Cities child exploitation investigation uncovered the abuse of a young girl and distribution of child pornography, said federal and state investigators. Bail is set at $1 million for Charles L. Seltz, who is charged in Benton County four counts of first-degree child rape. His former West Richland housemate, Joseph R. Whipple, was arrested in Iowa on federal charges of producing, distributing, receiving and possessing sexually explicit images of a child in Tri-Cities. His bail is also set at $1 million.”
NIT will report any further local developments in the matter.
14 thoughts on “Task force nabs alleged “transitioning” child predator in Mason City”
Ever look to see how many pedophiles live in River City. Well over 200 and mostly white.
Lots. But police do their best in controlling them.
Amen. Need some bullets?
Why are they wasting all the taxpayers money to shuffle this THING around the country. If indeed they have the evidence to convict both Whipple and Seltz, then take them to the nearest shooting range and set up target practice. End of the line.
Because if they did not demise him with one bulleto – the demnuts say a second strike would not be humanitarian – well of course the first bullet could be a 105 howitzer ? Think BIG!
They are “wasting” taxpayer’s money to follow our Constitution. It says all accused are innocent until proven guilty and that the accused has the right to due process. Of course, with MAGAts, the Constitution is just a piece of paper and it doesn’t really mean what it says.
“all accused are innocent until proven guilty” if they are legal citizens … not criminals here illegally by some form of action whether that is committing crimes, lying on applications, and much more … it’s not a snap of the finger to become a full-blown American citizen with all those rights attached … I think the Supreme Court is going to cause you a lot of depression
Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. You need to read the Constitution. The SCOTUS, unfortunately, has chosen to be a partisan arm of the Heritage Society.
Not everyone roaming the streets has the same rights you and I enjoy, bro. We have a supreme court that will make this clear to you at some point.
What part of “the constitution” was written FOR AMERICANS don’t you understand? You may devalue being an American citizen and all the privileges it entitles you to, but for those of us that have served to preserve that right, it’s written in every cemetery across America. So, HELL NO, come into this great country the right way AND, don’t have your hands out wanting what you haven’t earned!
Ironic how some that were born here want to stand on the sidelines and criticize but never have done anything to contribute, guess that’s the new faceless rebel.
Going to a ton of trouble to deal with this guy.
illegal is illegal. what don’t they understand?
I think a lot of Americans have what is called “fatal empathy.” They will literally destroy their country, themselves, their family, their friends, and trip all over themselves to worship crazy people, criminals, rotten to the core types. It is a sickness, a derangement. SAD, really.
Sounds like MAGA