A Panora man faces sexual abuse charges after an investigation found he had allegedly engaged in sexual contact with a juvenile female from Des Moines near the beginning of the month. A joint inquiry involving the Polk and Guthrie County Sheriff’s Offices found a 14-year-old female had run away from home on Feb. 3 and was picked up by a man at a convenience store. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Max Leroy Pierce II, offered to buy the girl alcohol and drive around, and she agreed. The victim became intoxicated throughout the night and lost consciousness. She awoke at Pierce’s home in Panora, and the two allegedly engaged in sexual activities. The following morning, Pierce drove the victim to her high school and dropped her off, where she reported the incident to law enforcement. Using license plate readers, security camera footage, and the victim’s description, authorities were able to positively identify the suspect as Pierce. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at his home on Feb. 12 and seized evidence. Authorities say Pierce admitted to the events during an interview. He was taken into custody and booked into the Guthrie County jail for third-degree sexual abuse, a class C felony, and additional charges are pending further investigation. As of this (Monday) morning, Pierce remains in custody, awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for Friday, Feb. 21.
