Worth County man gets suspended sentence for sexual exploitation in Cerro Gordo County

MASON CITY — A Worth County man who pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor in Cerro Gordo County has been given a suspended prison sentence. 

23-year-old Zackary Wagner of Fertile was accused of posting videos and photos to an Instagram message group depicting the live performance of a minor engaged in a prohibited sexual act in early January of last year in Mason City.

Wagner was facing a Class C felony-level sexual exploitation charge dealing with film or video, but as part of a plea agreement, Wagner pleaded guilty to the Class D felony charge of sexual exploitation of a minor. As part of that plea agreement, prosecutors recommend a suspended five-year prison term.

District Associate Judge Karen Kaufman Salic agreed with that recommendation when she sentenced Wagner on Monday in Cerro Gordo County District Court.