Chardon Man Charged with Child Pornography
A Chardon man has been charged with multiple felony counts related to the acquisition and possession of child pornography, according to an indictment filed Nov. 19 in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas.
A Chardon man has been charged with multiple felony counts related to the acquisition and possession of child pornography, according to an indictment filed Nov. 19 in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas.
A grand jury returned a five-count indictment against Kenneth W. Chuha, 69, charging him with one count of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, a fourth-degree felony; three counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, fifth-degree felonies; and one count of possessing criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony. The final count provides a specification for criminal forfeiture of two video cameras, a computer tower, a hard drive and two SD cards.
The pandering charge involves receiving, purchasing or possessing material that shows a minor participating or engaging in sexual activity, masturbation or bestiality, while the illegal use charges involve possessing material or performance of a minor in a state of nudity.
Chuha is the husband of Chardon City Councilwoman Deborah Chuha. He is scheduled for arraignment in common pleas court on Dec. 11.
Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz said his office received a referral from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) regarding the suspected accessing of child pornography online at a residence in the City of Chardon.
“After an initial investigation, investigators from my office along with detectives from the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office and ICAC agents executed a search warrant on Aug. 20 at 126 Goodrich St.,” Flaiz told the Geauga County Maple Leaf. “During the search, interviews were conducted and a number of items were seized. Following the completion of the investigation, including a forensic analysis of the seized items, the matter was presented to the grand jury for consideration of charges.”
Flaiz added he had no comment on the pending case, but said the charges carry the potential for up to 18 months incarceration and mandatory registration as a sex offender.
“If convicted, he would be required to register his residence address and work address with the sheriff’s office,” said Flaiz. “He would also be prohibited from residing within 1,000 feet of any school premises, preschool or childcare center premises.”
Last week, Chuha, who had served as cemetery sexton of Chardon Township, resigned from office after 44 years on the job.
“This has been a long thought out and difficult decision to make and when was the right time to make it,” he wrote in his Nov. 15 resignation letter.
