NEWTON, Iowa — A northeast Iowa man has been arrested on sexual exploitation charges following an online predator investigation by the Newton Police Department.

Christopher Finke, 44, of Cedar Falls, was arrested Monday after NPD said he showed up to meet someone he believed to be a minor, but who was really a Newton Police Officer, for sex. Finke has been charged with four counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, one count of Enticing a Minor Under 16 for a Sexual Purpose, one count of Grooming, and 18 counts of Distribution of Obscene Materials to a Minor.

Online court documents reveal that the investigation began on October 3rd and continued over several weeks. Finke is accused of sending sexually explicit photos and engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a Newton Police Officer who was posing as a juvenile male (aged 14 and 15).

The correspondence was conducted over email and a phone messaging app.

Finke is being held in the Jasper County Jail. Online court records did not indicate when his next hearing is scheduled.