8 arrested in child sex crime bust in Ottawa County

PORT CLINTON, Ohio (WTVG) - Eight people have been arrested in a child sex crime bust in Ottawa County.

From June 19 through June 22, Ohio Internet Sex Crimes Against Children conducted an undercover operation to investigate individuals who are engaging in online solicitation of minors.

The Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says during the operation, law enforcement officers posed as children ages 12 and 15 on online platforms. While engaging, multiple suspects traveled to pre-arranged locations, believing they were meeting with a minor. When they arrived, they were arrested.

During the four-day operation, the following people were arrested:

• Robert Neuenschwander, 75, of Delta, Ohio
  • Charged with two counts of Importuning, two counts of Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor and two counts of Possession of Criminal Tools
• Luis Romero Perez, 29, of Toledo, Ohio
  • Charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor and Possession of Criminal Tools
• Noelan Winston, 23 of Huron, Ohio
  • Charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Possession of Criminal Tools and Attempted Complicity to Sexual Battery
• Stephen Walterbach, 43, of Marblehead, Ohio
  • Charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor and Possession of Criminal Tools
• Keith Geyer, 46, of North Royalton, Ohio
  • Charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Compelling Prostitution and Possession of Criminal Tools
• Ryan Thomas, 40, of Swanton, Ohio
  • Charged with Importuning and Possession of Criminal Tools
• Larry Clark Wymer, 35, of Whitehouse, Ohio
  • Charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Possession of Criminal Tools and Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles
  • Wymer is a Tier II registered sex offender having previously being convicted in 2013 in Lucas County of Gross Sexual Imposition involving a minor
• Adam Smith, 38, of Oregon, Ohio
  • Charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor and Possession of Criminal Tools

The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says numerous other suspects have been identified and investigators are working to follow up on those leads.

“Online exploitation of children is a serious and evolving threat,” said James VanEerten, Ottawa County Prosecutor. “We are committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who seek to harm children in our communities.”

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