Latest news with #OperationSafeHarbor
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
8 alleged child predators caught in undercover sting operation
PORT CLINTON – The Ottawa County Grand Jury has issued indictments for eight men arrested in a multi-agency undercover sting called Operation Safe Harbor, which targeted online child predators. The grand jury met July 2. Three of the men were indicted by the grand jury on additional charges because the ongoing investigations turn up new information. One of the men, Larry Wymer, 35, of Whitehouse, is a Tier II registered sex offender previously convicted in 2013 of gross sexual imposition involving a minor in Lucas County. The sting took place from June 19 to June 22; Ottawa County Prosecutor James VanEerten said it involved coordination between 17 agencies at the local, state and federal levels, but Operation Safe Harbor was primarily handled by the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children, in partnership with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office and the Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office with the Major Crimes Unit. Officers posed as children between the ages of 12 and 15 on various online platforms that are frequented by children, VanEerten said. Those who were arrested had initiated contact, expressed an intent to engage in sexual activity and traveled to pre-arranged locations believing they were meeting a minor. Some of them also offered monetary compensation in exchange for sexual contact. 'We're constantly trying to find new ways to get to parents and to get to kids, that we don't give guns to kids and let them play with them, just like we don't give our kids electronic devices without supervision and let them play with them," VanEerten said. "They are just as dangerous in another way. There are bad people who are dedicated to finding ways to harm children online." Those arrested and indicted with alleged crimes against children were: Robert Neuenschwander, 75, of Delta, was indicted on 2 counts of importuning, 2 counts of attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and 2 counts of possession of criminal tools. His combined cash bond is $450,000. Luis Romero-Perez, 29, of Toledo, was charged with importuning, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and possession of criminal tools. His combined cash bond is $450,000. Noelan Winston, 23, of Huron, was charged with importuning, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, possession of criminal tools, conspiracy and attempt to commit an offense. His combined cash bond is $450,000. Winston also sent nude images of himself. Stephen Walterbach, 43, of Marblehead, was charged with importuning, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and possession of criminal tools. His combined cash bond is $300,000. Keith Geyer, 46, of North Royalton, was charged with importuning, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, compelling prostitution and possession of criminal tools. His combined cash bond is $400,000. Ryan Thomas, 40, of Swanton, was charged with importuning and possession of criminal tools. His combined cash bond is $300,000. Adam Smith, 38, of Oregon, was charged with importuning, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, and possession of criminal tools. His combined cash bond is $300,000. Larry Wymer, 35, of Whitehouse, was indicted on importuning, attempted unlawful sexual contact with a minor, possession of criminal tools and failure to provide notice, which is in reference to Wymer's previous registration as a sex offender. It requires several types of notice to be given to the local sheriff's office, including internet identifiers. 'Internet identifiers are names or usernames associated with any account or email address that you use online,' VanEerten said. 'It's so that we know how to track those people. It's the same thing as online chat applications. If you have an account, you have to provide us with your usernames.' Wymer's combined cash bond is $475,000. An indictment is a formal accusation that an individual committed a crime. Other individuals are also being investigated, but have not yet been charged. VanEerten explained some of the charges, which were felonies at the F3, F4 or F5 level. Possession of criminal tools could be almost anything used while committing the other offenses, which typically included a mobile phone or computer. Each man has been assigned a cash bond for each charge. All eight men were still incarcerated in the Ottawa County Detention Facility as of July 3, with initial appearances and arraignments likely by July 7. Investigations of those men continue. rlapointe@ 419-332-2674 This article originally appeared on Port Clinton News Herald: Multi-agency sting operation catches 8 alleged child predators
CBS News
23-06-2025
- CBS News
Eight men arrested in online predator investigation in northern Ohio
A multi-agency investigation into online child predator activity has resulted in arrests of eight Ohio residents so far, the Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office in Port Clinton, Ohio announced. Federal agencies involved in what became known as Operation Safe Harbor included Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service. The four-day undercover investigation targeted individuals who were believed to be taking part in the online solicitation of minors. "This operation underscores the proactive and collaborative approach law enforcement is taking to address a growing threat in the digital age," the press release said. "Online exploitation of children is a serious and evolving threat," Ottawa County Prosecutor James VanEerten said in the news release. "We are committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who seek to harm children in our communities." Ohio agencies involved in the case were Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children, Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office / Major Crimes Unit, Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, Tiffin Police Department, Sandusky County Drug Task Force, Port Clinton Police Department, Oak Harbor Police Department, Perrysburg Police Department, Defiance Police Department and Danbury Police Department. The eight men lived in communities across northern Ohio, from Delta to North Royalton and including Toledo. The resulting charges include attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and possession of criminal tools. Numerous other suspects have been identified, and investigators continue to work on the case, the press release said.
