MANSFIELD, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Bryce Witchey, 29, of Mansfield, pleaded guilty on Thursday in Richland County Common Pleas Court to all 31 felony counts against him, stemming from incidents that unfolded over a year ago.
Witchey entered guilty pleas to 30 counts of illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to one count of attempted importuning.
The prosecution and defense attorneys jointly recommended a 12-year prison sentence for Witchey.
Witchey will complete a pre-sentence investigation.
Richland County Common Pleas Court Judge Brent Robinson has set a sentencing hearing October 6 at 3 p.m.
Witchey’s legal troubles began on June 14, 2024, when Mansfield police arrested him after a woman reported that he had been communicating with her via social media, allegedly seeking sexual advances toward her 8-year-old daughter.
His initial charge was attempted importuning, classified as a fourth-degree felony.
Following the arrest, a Richland County grand jury indicted Witchey in August 2024 on 30 counts related to the illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, in addition to the attempted importuning charge.
Witchey remains in custody.