(ATWATER TOWNSHIP, Ohio) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today the arrest of a registered sexual predator on two charges of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor. The arrest happened in Portage County this afternoon after agents with the Attorney General's Crimes Against Children Task Force said they found evidence the man was downloading and sharing child pornography.
Authorities with the Portage County Sheriff's Office assisted in the arrest of Scott Thompson, 39, of 97 Stroup Road, Atwater Township, Ohio, on two charges of Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor.
Investigators served a search warrant at the suspect's address and seized several pieces of evidence, including a laptop computer.
"Our Crimes Against Children agents spent more than two months investigating this suspect, who already served prison time on charges of rape and gross sexual imposition out of Stark County," said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. "We need to keep predators like this far away from Ohio's families."
Investigators said Thompson was cooperative before and after his arrest, and say they do not believe there are any local children in the photographs and videos the suspect allegedly downloaded.
Right now Thompson is in the Portage County Jail, and his case will be presented to a Portage County grand jury for the possibility of additional charges.
Atwater Township is approximately 45 minutes west of Youngstown and an hour south of Cleveland.