Cherokee, Iowa (NorthwestIowaNow.com) — A longtime banker and former county official in Cherokee County is facing felony charges after an undercover sting.
According to the Sutherland Police Department, Leon Klotz, 74 of Cherokee, believed he was chatting online with a ’15-year-old boy.’ Investigators say those conversations were explicit and end with Klotz showing up to a meeting spot on Wednesday, February 11, expecting to engate with the minor, but instead he was met by police.
Klotz is now charged with sexual exploitation and grooming. If conficted, he’s looking at up to 25 years in prison. He was booked into the O’Brien County Jail, but he has already posted his $5,000 bond. His first court date is set for this coming Monday, February 23rd in O’Brien County Court.
This is the second known suspect arrested through a sting operation with the Sutherland Police Department.

