Two men have been arrested in northeast Iowa after they thought they were meeting up an underage female for sex.
The Howard County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has announced the arrests of 68-year-old Mark Landsgard of Postville and 38-year-old Adam Neitzel of Lime Springs , after each suspect allegedly attempted to meet with who they believed was a 14-year-old girl for sexual relations.
Neitzel, taken into custody Thursday (01.22), is charged with exploitation of a minor, a Class B felony, plus enticing a minor and grooming, both Class D felonies. Neitzel was also found in possession of a white powder substance consistent with methamphetamine.
HCSO says that led to a search warrant for his residence in Lime Springs, which resulted in the seizure of 10 firearms, ammunition, marijuana, and meth. Neitzel was additionally charged with illegally possessing or having control of a firearm by a convicted felon, a Class D felony.
Landsgard, who was arrested December 3, 2025, has been charged with grooming and enticing a minor, and supplying alcohol to a minor.
According to criminal complaints, both Neitzel and Landsgard initiated contact with who they believed to be a 14-year-old girl, but was actually an undercover (UC) deputy. Both men are accused of sending multiple messages to the UC through social media, with Neitzel also allegedly sending the UC photos of himself in various stages of undress. Both men also arranged to meet the “female minor” at a Cresco motel with the intent to have sex with the girl.
Landsgard is scheduled for trial April 1st in Howard County District Court, with Neitzel slated for a preliminary hearing February 2nd.
Neitzel is being held without bond in the Howard County Jail, while Landsgard was released from custody after posting bail of $15,000.
Cresco Police and the Iowa State Patrol assisted with the investigations.
