An Atalissa man was arrested Sunday in connection to an ongoing, child grooming investigation. Police say 62-year-old Richard Mathis allegedly traveled to Manchester to meet with an undercover officer who was posing as a juvenile. Mathis is charged with grooming, a class D felony. Iowa enacted a new grooming law in July 2024 that makes it a felony to communicate with a child with the intent to commit a sex crime. The law allows police to charge predators based on their online communications and intent, even before they physically meet with a child. Manchester police arrested six other individuals in January as part of the operation. According to officers, all seven suspects allegedly traveled to Manchester believing they would meet a 15-year-old. Manchester police say the operation is ongoing and they will continue to identify and arrest online predators.
