FREMONT, Ohio — Prosecutors have amended the criminal charge against a Tiffin man arrested last month in a child sex sting, according to court records from Fremont Municipal Court.
Ronald E. Callahan, 68, of Tiffin, was originally charged with attempted importuning following his March 12 arrest. On March 25, the prosecutor filed a motion to amend the charge, which the court granted. The updated charge more precisely reflects the facts alleged in the case — specifically, that the decoy Callahan allegedly communicated with online was posing as a 14-year-old boy, not someone under 13.
The amendment carries legal consequences. The original charge was a third-degree felony under Ohio law. The amended charge is a fifth-degree felony — one step lower on Ohio’s felony scale. Even so, a conviction still carries a presumption of prison time under state law. If the offender is ten or more years older than the alleged victim and arranged to meet for the purpose of sexual activity, a mandatory prison term applies. Callahan is 68. The alleged meeting took place March 11 at a Denny’s restaurant in Fremont. A conviction would also require Callahan to register as a sex offender for 15 years.
Callahan appeared by video at his March 13 arraignment and pleaded not guilty. The court set a $5,000 surety bond with a condition that he have no contact with any minor. Court records note he is a lifetime Seneca County resident, employed at NWO Ortho in Tiffin and as a housekeeper registered with the Mental Health Board, and previously worked approximately 40 years at Heidelberg University in Tiffin.
Callahan has since retained private attorney John M. Kahler II, who has requested a jury trial and filed for discovery. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for April 14 at 10:30 a.m. at Fremont Municipal Court.
Callahan was arrested March 12 after vigilante group Dads Against Predators (D.A.P.) confronted him the previous evening at the Fremont Denny’s, alleging he had communicated online with a decoy posing as a 14-year-old boy and arranged to meet in person. Video of the confrontation spread rapidly on social media. Fremont Police Chief Derek Wensinger confirmed that his department and Sandusky County detectives investigated the incident. Wensinger noted at the time that D.A.P. conducts sting operations outside the parameters of lawful law enforcement investigations, while also acknowledging the group agreed to provide videos and chat logs to help corroborate the allegations.
Callahan operates Ron’s Photography Studio, a self-described Christian photography business in the Tiffin area, and is a registered Republican.
FREMONT, Ohio — Prosecutors have amended the criminal charge against a Tiffin man arrested last month in a child sex sting, according to court records from Fremont Municipal Court. Ronald E. Callahan, 68, of Tiffin, was originally charged with attempted importuning following his March 12 arrest. On March 25, the prosecutor filed a motion to amend the charge, which the court granted. The updated charge more precisely reflects the facts alleged in the case — specifically, that the decoy Callahan allegedly communicated with online was posing as a 14 year old boy, not someone under 13. The amendment carries legal consequences. The original charge was a third degree felony under Ohio law. The amended charge is a fifth degree felony — one step lower on Ohio's felony scale. Even so, a conviction still carries a presumption of prison time under state law. If the offender is ten or more years older than the alleged victim and arranged to meet for the purpose of sexual activity, a mandatory prison term applies. Callahan is 68. The alleged meeting took place March 11 at a Denny's restaurant in Fremont. A conviction would also require Callahan to register as a sex offender for 15 years. Callahan appeared by video at his March 13 arraignment and pleaded not guilty. The court set a $5,000 surety bond with a condition that he have no contact with any minor. Court records note he is a lifetime Seneca County resident, employed at NWO Ortho in Tiffin and as a housekeeper registered with the Mental Health Board, and previously worked approximately 40 years at Heidelberg University in Tiffin. Callahan has since retained private attorney John M. Kahler II, who has requested a jury trial and filed for discovery. A pre trial hearing is scheduled for April 14 at 10:30 a.m. at Fremont Municipal Court. Callahan was arrested March 12 after vigilante group Dads Against Predators (D.A.P.) confronted him the previous evening at the Fremont Denny's, alleging he had communicated online with a decoy posing as a 14 year old boy and arranged to meet in person. Video of the confrontation spread rapidly on social media. Fremont Police Chief Derek Wensinger confirmed that his department and Sandusky County detectives investigated the incident. Wensinger noted at the time that D.A.P. conducts sting operations outside the parameters of lawful law enforcement investigations, while also acknowledging the group agreed to provide videos and chat logs to help corroborate the allegations. Callahan operates Ron's Photography Studio, a self described Christian photography business in the Tiffin area, and is a registered Republican.
Continue reading for free.
Sign up for TiffinOhio.net's free newsletter to continue. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
