Man wanted in connection with child sex assault in custody

30-year-old reportedly lives transient lifestyle, captured in Iowa

JANESVILLE, Wis. — An Iowa police department took a 30-year-old man wanted in Janesville into custody in Saturday afternoon. 

The Janesville Police Department said in an alert Saturday afternoon that officers were looking for Justin Jones, of Ridgeway, Wisconsin, in connection with a sexual assault against a child case. Jones was wanted after an incident late Friday afternoon and that was reported to police overnight.

Janesville police said Saturday at about 3 p.m., Jones was taken into custody in Bettendorf, Iowa, about 150 miles southwest of Janesville. Jones was taken into custody about two hours after police sent the initial alert.

Police said Jones exchanged social media messages with a 14-year-old Janesville girl.

Jones reportedly drove to Janesville, picked the teen up and took her to a park on the east side of the city, according to the report. Jones engaged in a sexual encounter with the girl, police said. He left Janesville and was possibly headed to a wedding in Iowa, according to police.

Police had issued a temporary felony warrant nationally for Jones.

Police said he lives a semi-transient lifestyle and he may have been pursuing another online victim.