Orange City, Iowa — A Le Mars man has been arrested on sex exploitation charges after a sting in Orange City.
A criminal complaint filed with the Sioux County Clerk of Court’s Office by the county sheriff’s office tells us that 24-year-old Jorden Berkenpas of Le Mars is accused of asking a person he thought was 15 years of age for explicit photos of herself, and attempting to meet her for sexual contact. He found out he was actually talking to an undercover law enforcement officer when he was arrested on Friday.
Berkenpas was charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, a class B felony, and grooming, a class D felony. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison on the class B charge and five years on the class D charge.
He faces an initial hearing on Monday, April 13th.
Berkenpas was booked into the Sioux County Jail in Orange City, and was released on the same day after posting a $25,000 cash or surety bond.
KIWA Staff Photo
