Scott L. Bedell, 19, Humboldt, was arrested Friday night outside the Iola High School homecoming dance for what Master Deputy Daren Kellerman, the arresting officer, described as sexting crimes.
A 13-year-old boy also was taken into custody as well.
The alleged crimes came to the attention of Allen County officers from reports made by adults who saw “troubling” images on cell phones, said Sheriff Tom Williams.
Kellerman said Bedell was being held without bond on suspicion of electronic solicitation of a child under 14, two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, two counts of possessing child pornography and two counts of promoting obscene content to minors.
Allen County Attorney Wade Bowie said he had not reviewed investigation reports having to do with Bedell’s arrest. Whatever charges are filed against Bedell will be at Bowie’s discretion.
Kellerman said the case remained open and investigations were continuing as more victims had been identified since Bedell’s arrest.
He also noted the timing of Bedell’s arrest was coincidental to the Iola High function and there was no indication that any illegal activities were occurring at the dance or on school grounds when the arrest was made. Kellerman said it was imperative the arrest be made without hesitation to prevent possible further illegal activities from occurring and unsuspecting children
being victimized.
BOWIE NOTED sexting crimes and their severity were subjects of a program he conducted Oct. 26 at Iola Middle School. A similar seminar on sexting — sending sexually explicit messages or photographs by cell phone or other electronic device — is scheduled at Iola High School in March.
“I’ve also contacted principals at Humboldt and Marmaton Valley high schools, but we don’t yet have programs scheduled at either of those schools,” Bowie said.
