Feds: Wilmington Man, 28, Sexually Exploited Iowa Girl, 13

WILMINGTON, IL — Federal prosecutors in Chicago announced on Wednesday that 28-year-old Ryan Zelek of Wilmington faces charges of production of child pornography and charges of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Zelek is accused of traveling to Iowa to meet a 13-year-old girl to bring her back to Wilmington to have sex.

FBI agents in Chicago arrested the Wilmington resident on Tuesday after raiding his house in search of physical evidence.

According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court, Zelek communicated with the 13-year-old girl on the social media application Snapchat. On July 30, Zelek drove to Iowa, picked up the girl outside a movie theater and drove her to his home in Wilmington, where he sexually abused her, the complaint states. Zelek allegedly used his cell phone to record part of the sexual encounter. Zelek then drove the victim back to Iowa, prosecutors said.

If convicted of producing child pornography, Zelek faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum of 30 years. If convicted on the transportation count, Zelek faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago announced.

To read the entire criminal complaint, go here.