Oquawka, IL – A Burlington, Iowa man has been arrested in Henderson County on multiple felony charges connected to the alleged attempted exploitation of a child, authorities announced this week.
According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrested Marvin L. Bedenbender, 47, on October 31, 2025, following an investigation into online communications allegedly involving Bedenbender and a person he believed to be a minor. The arrest took place in Oquawka, Illinois.
Investigators say the case began after deputies received information about possible online child exploitation activity. Following the inquiry, Bedenbender was charged with several felony offenses, including Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 Felony), Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 4 Felony), Grooming (Class 4 Felony), and Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4 Felony).
Bedenbender was taken into custody without incident, according to the sheriff’s office. Officials emphasized that all subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Sheriff Matthew Link stated that the department remains committed to protecting children in Henderson County through proactive investigations and community vigilance.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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