A Panora man was recently arrested for alleged sex abuse.

According to the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation began on February 11th when the Polk County Sheriff’s Office notified them of the alleged incident. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office says a female who was less than 16 ran away from her home in Des Moines on February 3rd and met a man at a gas station convenience store, who offered to buy her alcohol and drive around. After becoming intoxicated, the female lost consciousness, and later awoke at the man’s residence where sexual intercourse occurred.

Investigators say the next morning the female reported the alleged incident to local law enforcement, after the man took her to school. During the investigation, the Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as 39-year-old Max Pierce of Panora, and a search warrant was executed at his home on February 12th and he admitted to the sex act and taking her to school the next day. Pierce was arrested and charged with a Class C Felony for third degree sex abuse and was booked into the Guthrie County Jail, and the Sheriff’s Office indicates additional charges are pending completion of the investigation. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring more information as it becomes official.