CEDAR RAPIDS — A long-running police operation targeting child exploitation has led to 14 arrests since January and more than 50 arrests since the effort began in 2024, authorities said.
The Cedar Rapids Police Department said investigators spent more than two years establishing and implementing a decoy child exploitation program. As part of the ongoing operation, investigators posed as minors on internet and social media platforms.
Police said suspects allegedly solicited the undercover decoy accounts, then agreed to meet in person or exchange sexual content or sexual acts for money.
Criminal Investigation Division Supervisor Lt. Tony Robinson said the cases represent many hours of work by investigators and also serve as a warning to parents.
“Parents need to be aware of what children are doing on their devices because there are individuals in and outside our community who are willing to travel to exploit children,” Robinson said. “Child predators need to be aware that those that who willfully target and entice children will be held accountable.”
Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said his office has worked closely with police and is taking a hard line on cases involving alleged crimes against children.
According to Maybanks, since the operation began in 2024, prosecutors have filed about 29 counts of enticing a minor, 21 counts of grooming, 16 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, nine counts of prostitution of a minor, and other related charges.
“These offenders have and will face punishments involving prison time and/or placement on the Sex Offender Registry,” Maybanks said. “The message that we want to send to potential future offenders is that if you are online and you are either seeking out minors or you encounter minors and begin corresponding with minors in a sexual manner, you will be caught, and you will face severe consequences.”
Authorities said the following people were charged in 2026 as part of the ongoing operation:
Manuel Cayetano, 40, of Cedar Rapids, prostitution.
Terri Sanders, 42, of Fort Dodge, sexual exploitation of a minor, enticing a minor under 16, enticing a child under 13, and two counts of grooming.
Jonathan Painter, 25, of Cedar Rapids, dissemination of obscene materials, enticing a minor under 16, sexual exploitation of a minor, and grooming.
Travis Fishel, 33, of Cedar Rapids, enticing a minor under 16 and grooming.
Roy Morarie III, 27, of Cedar Rapids, enticing a minor under 16, grooming, and interference with official acts.
Samuel Green, 39, of Anamosa, prostitution with a minor.
Nicholas Alber, 46, of Cedar Rapids, prostitution with a minor.
Gabriel Kelley, 23, of Cedar Rapids, enticing a minor under 16 and grooming.
Richard Dryml, 58, of Cedar Rapids, two counts of prostitution with a minor.
Nayan Patel, 46, of Marion, prostitution with a minor.
Brian Williams, 35, of Cedar Rapids, sexual exploitation of a minor, prostitution with a minor, and dissemination of obscene material to a minor.
Duckenson Augustin, 33, of Cedar Rapids, prostitution with a minor and dissemination of obscene material to a minor.
Christian Womjah, 34, of Cedar Rapids, prostitution with a minor.
Johnny Dobbs, 28, of Cedar Rapids, prostitution with a minor.
Police said the operation is not over and that investigators will continue pursuing people willing to sexually exploit children.
The Cedar Rapids Police Department credited the Linn County Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the ongoing cases.
Parents are urged to monitor children’s online activity, talk with them about the risks of communicating with strangers, review privacy settings on social media apps, and report suspicious online behavior to law enforcement.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
