MOUNT GILEAD — A Cardington man was indicted Thursday on 41 counts in a case involving pandering sexually oriented materials involving minors, according to a press release issued by Morrow County Prosecutor Andrew Wick.
Dalton Edwards was indicted by a Morrow County grand jury after an investigation by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. The indictments contains the following charges:
— 13 counts Pandering Sexually Oriented Materials Involving Minors – 2nd-degree felonies.
— 26 counts Pandering Sexually Oriented Materials Involving Minors – 4th-degree felonies.
— 1 count Illegal Use of Minor in Nudity Oriented Material – 2nd-degree felony.
— 1 count Illegal Use of Minor in Nudity Oriented Material – 4th-degree felony.
A warrant was issued and Edwards was arrested following the indictment being returned, Wick said. The investigation at this time suggests that Edwards was the lone local perpetrator.
During the course of the investigation, non-nude photographs of unidentified students from Cardington, Mount Gilead, and Northmor schools were located in Edwards’ phone, Wick said.
“At this time there is no indication of any physical involvement with students,” the prosecutor stated.
“The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding possible inappropriate contacts with this defendant are encouraged to contact Det. Sgt. Joshua Clarke of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office at 740-833-2894.”
As with all indictments, the Defendant is innocent until found guilty by the Morrow County Court of Common Pleas, Wick stated.
The Morrow County Prosecutor’s Office requests that all citizens respect the privacy of any family of the defendant as they are not suspected of any wrong doing.
A date for Edwards’ arraignment is pending.