Cuyahoga Man Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Charges
Eric Arnold Schmidt, 44, a former teacher in the South Euclid-Lyndhurst City School District in Cuyahoga County, pleaded guilty to one charge of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, a second degree felony, at his change of plea hearing Aug. 4.
Eric Arnold Schmidt, 44, a former teacher in the South Euclid-Lyndhurst City School District in Cuyahoga County, pleaded guilty to one charge of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, a second degree felony, at his change of plea hearing Aug. 4.
Schmidt was arrested Jan. 27 by Geauga County detectives without incident following an investigation into allegations involving inappropriate actions with a minor, Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand previously said in a press release.
According to a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation, Schmidt had allegedly friended a 16-year-old Geauga County female on an online social media app.
Schmidt originally pleaded not guilty to three counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, second-degree felonies; and one count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a fifth-degree felony.
As part of his change of plea Aug. 4, the state agreed to dismiss Schmidt’s remaining charges at his sentencing, prosecuting attorney Christian Bondra said, noting he will also have to register as a tier-two sex offender.
Schmidt faces a possible sentence of two to eight years in jail, Geauga County Common Pleas Judge Matt Rambo said, adding he will also face mandatory post-release control.
Should the matter have proceeded to trial, the state would have been able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Schmidt engaged in a Snapchat conversation with a then 16-year-old victim, resulting in the exchange of funds for nude photos and Schmidt sending a nude photo of himself to the victim, Bondra said.
Schmidt’s $20,000 10% cash or surety bond was continued. He will be sentenced at 3 p.m Sept. 11.
