A 33-year-old Ottumwa man has been sentenced to ten years in prison following convictions in Jefferson County involving the online sexual exploitation of a minor.
The Jefferson County Attorney’s Office says Randall Paul Dodds was sentenced Friday after being found guilty of grooming a minor and enticing a minor under the age of 16 for sexual purposes. The court imposed two five-year prison sentences to be served consecutively.
Following his release, Dodds will be required to register as a sex offender for life and will also be subject to an additional ten-year special parole sentence related to the grooming conviction.
The case stemmed from an undercover investigation by the Fairfield Police Department, in which an officer posing as a 13-year-old girl was contacted online by Dodds. Authorities say the investigation was part of proactive efforts to identify and stop individuals attempting to exploit children through digital platforms.
The Jefferson County Attorney’s Office says the sentence reflects the seriousness of crimes involving the sexual exploitation of minors and emphasizes that law enforcement actively monitors online spaces to prevent harm before it occurs.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to talk with children about online safety, including not sharing personal information online, reporting inappropriate messages or requests, and understanding that not everyone online is who they claim to be. Anyone who suspects online exploitation of a child is urged to report it to local law enforcement.