Police Investigation Leads to Arrest

DUBUQUE, Iowa –On March 23, 2022, the Dubuque Police Department began to investigate a sexual exploitation case involving a juvenile female victim.  The victim reported having a relationship with Benjamin James Hanson, 30, of Eagle Grove, IA, during the spring of 2021 while she was fifteen years old.  The investigation showed that Hanson told the victim he wanted to have sex with her and sent her several sexually explicit text messages.  Hanson also asked the victim to make a video of her simulating a sex act and send it to him.  Hanson requested the victim meet with him in private and asked her not to tell anyone about their relationship because of her age.  

Charges were filed on Hanson for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Enticing a Minor.  Sexual Exploitation of a Minor is a Class C Felony punishable by no more than ten years of confinement and a fine of not more than $13,660.  Enticing a Minor is a Class D Felony punishable by no more than five years of confinement and a fine of not more than $10,245.

Hanson was arrested on 04/01/2022 by the Eagle Grove Police Department on warrants stemming from these charges. 

As with any criminal case, the charges filed are allegations and any suspects are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law.  If you have any information on this incident or others, please call the Dubuque Police Department at 563-589-4415 or Crime Stoppers at 800-747-0117 or 563-588-0714 (if the information leads to an arrest, the caller is eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000). You can also submit tips anonymously online at www.cityofdubuque.org/police or through the MyDBQ smartphone app available at www.cityofdubuque.org/MyDBQ.

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