A 68-year-old Tiffin man was arrested Thursday afternoon on charges of attempted importuning after a confrontation at a Fremont restaurant was captured on video and spread rapidly across social media.
The Fremont Police Department announced the arrest of Ronald E. Callahan of Tiffin on charges of attempted importuning in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2923.02 and 2907.07(D)(2). Callahan was arrested in Tiffin and transported to the Sandusky County Jail at approximately 5 p.m. Thursday. He is a registered Republican and operates Ron’s Photography Studio, a self-described Christian photography business in the Tiffin area.
The arrest followed an incident the evening of March 11 at Denny’s, 1750 Cedar Street in Fremont. Vigilante group Dads Against Predators (D.A.P.) confronted Callahan inside the restaurant, alleging he had been communicating online with a decoy posing as a 14-year-old boy and had arranged to meet in person at the location. Videos shared by D.A.P. on social media show the confrontation inside the restaurant and outside the building before Fremont police escorted Callahan out.
Fremont Police Chief Derek Wensinger confirmed his department and Sandusky County detectives investigated the incident and made the arrest. Callahan is currently being processed through the judicial system.
Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez issued a statement Wednesday saying he had been working with city and county prosecutors to determine what charges were applicable.
“The videos circulating are extremely disturbing,” Sanchez said. “As someone who also has grandchildren living in this community, I take these matters very seriously.”
While law enforcement acted on the incident, Chief Wensinger noted in his press release that D.A.P. “conduct online sting operations in ways that are outside of the parameters that lawful investigations take place,” while also acknowledging the group agreed to provide videos and chats to help corroborate the allegations. Wensinger added that he met with Sheriff Hilton and Mayor Sanchez to discuss additional steps going forward, and that the department will be releasing arrest and case statistics involving Internet Crimes Against Children in the coming days.
Attempted importuning — soliciting a minor for sexual activity — is a felony under Ohio law.
A 68 year old Tiffin man was arrested Thursday afternoon on charges of attempted importuning after a confrontation at a Fremont restaurant was captured on video and spread rapidly across social media. The Fremont Police Department announced the arrest of Ronald E. Callahan of Tiffin on charges of attempted importuning in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2923.02 and 2907.07(D)(2). Callahan was arrested in Tiffin and transported to the Sandusky County Jail at approximately 5 p.m. Thursday. He is a registered Republican and operates Ron's Photography Studio, a self described Christian photography business in the Tiffin area. The arrest followed an incident the evening of March 11 at Denny's, 1750 Cedar Street in Fremont. Vigilante group Dads Against Predators (D.A.P.) confronted Callahan inside the restaurant, alleging he had been communicating online with a decoy posing as a 14 year old boy and had arranged to meet in person at the location. Videos shared by D.A.P. on social media show the confrontation inside the restaurant and outside the building before Fremont police escorted Callahan out. Fremont Police Chief Derek Wensinger confirmed his department and Sandusky County detectives investigated the incident and made the arrest. Callahan is currently being processed through the judicial system. Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez issued a statement Wednesday saying he had been working with city and county prosecutors to determine what charges were applicable. "The videos circulating are extremely disturbing," Sanchez said. "As someone who also has grandchildren living in this community, I take these matters very seriously." While law enforcement acted on the incident, Chief Wensinger noted in his press release that D.A.P. "conduct online sting operations in ways that are outside of the parameters that lawful investigations take place," while also acknowledging the group agreed to provide videos and chats to help corroborate the allegations. Wensinger added that he met with Sheriff Hilton and Mayor Sanchez to discuss additional steps going forward, and that the department will be releasing arrest and case statistics involving Internet Crimes Against Children in the coming days. Attempted importuning — soliciting a minor for sexual activity — is a felony under Ohio law.
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