Former camp counselor pleads not guilty to sex crimes involving girl

FAYETTEVILLE — A former camp counselor arrested last month for sex crimes involving an underage girl pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Washington County Circuit Court.

Alexander Baiza, 22, of 19984 W. 116th Court in Olathe, Kan., was arrested March 28 in Adams County, Iowa, in connection with two counts of sexual indecency with a child and pandering or possessing visual or print medium depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child. Baiza was later released from custody on $20,000 bond.

Baiza pleaded not guilty to the charges and was given an Aug. 15 court date before Circuit Judge Mark Lindsay.

Baiza is a former counselor at Camp War Eagle in Rogers and had met the victim there, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Fayetteville police began investigating after the girl’s mother reported sexual communication and grooming between Baiza and her 14-year-old daughter. The messages included videos Baiza sent of himself fully nude and masturbating, according to the affidavit. His face could be seen in several images.

The messages spanned from September 2023 to February, the affidavit states. Baiza asked the teen for nude photos on several occasions and asked her several times to come visit him so they could have sex.

Baiza also told the girl he could get in trouble because of her age, according to the affidavit.

During a recorded call, Baiza said he was 18 years old and admitted he knew the girl was 14 and that what he had done was wrong, the affidavit states.

Ron Wood can be reached by email at rwood@nwaonline.com or on X @NWARDW.