NEWTON – A Newton man was arrested on child exploitation charges after authorities conducted an online sting operation.

According to the Newton Police Department, 40-year-old Troy Anthony Edwards communicated online with Newton Police officers who were posing as a minor child during an investigation. The communication was reportedly sexual in nature, and Edwards allegedly made arrangements to meet the child in person for sex. 

Officers met Edwards at the predetermined location and took him into custody without incident on Thursday, January 22, at around 1:21pm.

Edwards is charged with one count of Grooming (class D felony) and one count of Enticing a Minor for a Sexual Purpose (class D felony). He was released from custody on a $5,000 bond with his preliminary hearing set for February 2.