Nora Springs Predator: Olson Faces Decades for Child Exploitation

NORA SPRINGS, IA – Aaron Olson, 35, of Nora Springs, Iowa, is facing a lifetime of regret – and potentially decades behind bars – after being indicted on two counts of sexual exploitation of a child. The charges, unsealed May 9, 2019, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids, detail a sickening pattern of abuse allegedly spanning 2017-2018.

According to the indictment, Olson allegedly used two minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct, all for the purpose of creating visual depictions. The details are, unsurprisingly, being kept tightly under wraps to protect the victims, but the implications are horrifying. This isn’t just about images; it’s about the irreparable damage inflicted on young lives.

If convicted, Olson isn’t looking at a slap on the wrist. He’s facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with the potential for up to 60 years. A $500,000 fine hangs over his head, and even after serving time, he could be subjected to at least five years – and potentially a lifetime – of supervised release. This is a serious federal case, and the government is prepared to throw the book at him.

Olson made his initial appearance in federal court in Cedar Rapids on May 9, 2019, and was immediately held without bond. The judge clearly saw him as a flight risk and a danger to the community. His next court date is scheduled for July 8, 2019, where he’ll begin the long, arduous process of facing the music. It’s important to remember that an indictment is not a conviction. Olson is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being spearheaded by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel, with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Nora Springs Police Department providing crucial investigative support. The investigation is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at dismantling the child sexual exploitation network. Launched in 2006, the project pools federal, state, and local resources to track down predators and rescue victims.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case closely, bringing you updates as they become available. For more information on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Court file information can be found at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl (case file number CR 19-2029). Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa on Twitter: @USAO_NDIA.