The San Diego man accused of posing as an actor from the movie “Twilight” and luring a 14-year-old Iowa girl into his car Tuesday afternoon also spent time in two schools in Newton. Thirty-three-year-old David Lavera is facing charges of child enticement, carrying weapons, and failure to have a valid drivers license. Authorities say Lavera arrived in the Newton area about three weeks ago and visited a couple schools.
Newton Schools Superintendent Bob Callaghan says Lavera used his real name as he signed in as a guest of a student and her parents. Using his claim to be an actor from the Twilight movies, he signed autographs, and was allowed to participate in a middle school assembly. “He was allowed into an assembly as a stunt individual and he did do a stunt performance at the middle school,” Callaghan said.
Lavera was accompanied by school employees at all times, according to Callaghan. According to his online biography, Lavera was in several movies. But the family of the alleged 14-year-old victim says he told the girl he starred in the “Twilight” series. He did not.
While Lavera signed in as a guest of Newton schools using his real name, officials found out later he was signing autographs with the name “Kiowa Gordon.” Gordon actually was an actor who appeared in Twilight. Local authorities want to hear from parents who’s children may have met or had social media contact with Lavera.
(Reporting by Randy Van, KCOB, Newton)