A California man, who convinced Iowa teens and at least one school into believing he was a movie star, now faces charges at the federal level.
Investigators said David Lavera, 33, of San Diego, posed as Kiowa Gordon, who starred as Embry Call in the popular “Twilight” saga movies. Lavera reportedly convinced one Iowa girl to get into his car, and had allegedly asked another girl to sneak out of her home after her parents were asleep.
Lavera was so convincing, he was invited to appear and perform some stunts at a school assembly at Berg Elementary and Middle School. One of his alleged victims said Lavera attended a school-sponsored pool party for eighth graders.
He was reportedly in Iowa for about three weeks before he was arrested and charged with enticing a minor under 16 for a sexual purpose, and with carrying a knife more than 8 inches in length. Deputies reportedly found two swords and five knives in Lavera’s car.
Lavera was taken into federal custody by U.S. Marshals on Monday, October 6, 2014, after a grand jury indicted him on charges of knowingly producing child pornography or sexual exploitation of a minor, and knowingly possessing child pornography.
Lavera made his first appearance in federal court Tuesday, October 7, 2014, and he was ordered to remain in federal custody pending trial, which was set for December 1, 2014.
