Ames man pleads guilty to sex acts with minor

April 17--The Ames man who allegedly sent and received explicit photos and engaged in sexual acts with a 15-year-old girl in early 2017 pleaded guilty to lesser charges Monday, according to Story County Attorney Jessica Reynolds.

James Edwards Button, 24, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor (class C felony) and dissemination of obscene material to a minor (aggravated misdemeanor).

Button was arrested Nov. 13, and originally charged with third-degree sexual abuse -- forcible rape (class C felony), sexual exploitation of a minor -- photo, sexual exploitation of a minor -- purchase or visual, and drug possession of a controlled substance.

Button originally pleaded not guilty in a written arraignment and had a trial set for Feb. 13. His trial was delayed twice before he decided to enter a plea last month.

According to Ames Police Cmdr. Geoff Huff, the victim and her parents reported the incident to police in June, telling officers that Button and the victim had been communicating through Facebook Messenger since April. Huff said on April 30, the two had a sexually explicit conversation, in which they talked about performing sex acts and exchanged explicit photos.

After talking with Button following the incident, Huff said the suspect initially denied having a sexual relationship with the victim. Huff said when Button was interviewed in August, he admitted he had lied earlier and that he had sexual contact with the victim on three separate occasions in May and June at Brookside Park.

Warrants were filed for Button's arrest on Oct. 26, but following reports of a suspicious person at North Grand Mall, Button was arrested and charged with the drug possession of a controlled substance.

As of Monday afternoon, no sentencing date has been set.

Reynolds said that her office is recommending a 10-year suspended prison sentence, residence at a residential care facility, fines, court costs, and lifetime on the sex offender registry.

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