State of Iowa v. Kevin Charles Lind

Summary

The court affirmed dismissal of the human-trafficking charge because, under the 2024 statute, attempting to purchase commercial sexual services from a victim or person engaged in human trafficking required that such an actual person exist. Lind's negotiations involved an undercover officer and an imaginary minor, and the statutory term "attempting" did not eliminate the requirement of an actual victim or trafficking participant. The court also held that the State timely appealed from the final dismissal order and could raise arguments rejected in an earlier interlocutory ruling.