DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines man is in Polk County Jail Thursday afternoon on multiple charges of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Alexander Lee Hand, 30, faces the following charges:
- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor — Cause to Engage in Act (three counts)
- Telephone Dissemination of Obscene Material to Minor — 1st Offense (two counts)
- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor — Promote Film
- Purchase/Possess Depiction of Minor in Sex Act — 1st Offense
- Solicit Commercial Sexual Activity
Someone notified police of "several disturbing images and text messages' on Hand's phone in October 2023, according to a search warrant application.
Police executed a search warrant in November, seizing Hand's phone and other technology.
Court documents indicate Hand used the Whisper app to request and receive naked pictures of children as young as 8 years old. The app markets itself as a place for people to "share real thoughts" anonymously with other users worldwide.
In addition, Hand used Whisper to "obtain a person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual activity in exchange for $500", according to a criminal complaint.
Hand was booked into Polk County Jail around 1:30 a.m. Thursday. A preliminary court hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 4.
Local 5 will update this story as more information becomes available. Download the We Are Iowa app or subscribe to Local 5's "5 Things to Know" email newsletter for the latest.
