March 28, 2024

Man pleads guilty to trying to persuade child to have sex

CEDAR RAPIDS — An eastern Iowa man has pleaded guilty in a Cedar Rapids federal court to attempting to entice a 12-year-old to have sex with him.

Nineteen-year-old Colton Rickels of Monticello pleaded guilty Monday to one count of attempted enticement of a minor. He admitted that he used the Internet to persuade, induce, entice or coerce the child into sexual activity in October 2014. He will remain in custody pending a sentence hearing, which hasn’t yet been set.

He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and possible maximum sentence of life in prison. He also faces a $250,000 fine.