Aimee Staudt, who had been a vice president at Knapp Properties Inc., is no longer employed by the real estate development, brokerage and property management firm following an arrest, according to a statement issued by the company.

Staudt, 44, was arrested in late October and charged with conspiracy to commit a forcible felony and sexual exploitation of a minor, both Class C felonies, according to Polk County District Court documents. She was also charged with child endangerment and invasion of privacy, both aggravated misdemeanors.

Staudt had worked at Knapp Properties since July 2006. Her responsibilities included overseeing the company’s real estate and development activity. In 2013, she was named one of the Business Record’s Forty Under 40 honorees.

“Knapp Properties holds its employees to the highest standards and is deeply saddened regarding this situation,” the West Des Moines-based company said in a statement. “After a review of the information available to the public related to the arrest, [Staudt] has been terminated. The allegations made against [Staudt] are deeply concerning and do not represent the culture of our organization or team members.”

Todd M. Schulz, 43, of Polk City, was also arrested in connection to the case that was investigated by Ankeny police. Schulz is charged with conspiracy to commit forcible felony and sexual exploitation of a minor – cause to engage in act, both Class C felonies; sexual exploitation of a minor – promote film, a Class D felony; and child endangerment and invasion of privacy, both aggravated misdemeanors.

The alleged abuses occurred between May and June 2020, according to court documents. Court documents also indicate Schulz and Staudt knew each other and knew the victims. Both were ordered to not have any contact with the victims or any other minor children.

Staudt and Schulz have been released from jail. Staudt, of Van Meter, has a preliminary court hearing on Friday. Schulz, who entered a written plea of not guilty, is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 17.

In Iowa, people convicted of a Class C felony face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.