BUCYRUS—Brian Eldridge, 44, from Galion, had his initial court appearance on Wednesday morning at the Crawford County Common Pleas Court.
Eldridge faced arraignment on ten counts of pandering sexually explicit material involving a minor, each a second-degree felony with punishment of up to eight years in prison.
Allegations against Eldridge, who was found with a seven-year-old child in his presence, charge that he was involved in the creation, photography, filming, production, and distribution of pornographic content featuring a minor engaged in sexual activities, including masturbation and bestiality.
According to prosecutors, Eldridge admitted to watching videos and images of adult males engaging in sex and oral sex with small female children between the ages of three and nine years old. He told investigators he engaged in the behaviors while high on meth. Prosecutors are investigating whether or not the child found in his presence is a victim.
Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold expressed that the combination of drugs and pornography pose an extreme danger to the public. He set Eldridge’s bond at a substantial one million dollars.
Eldridge informed the court that he intends hire his own counsel. Currently, he remains in custody at the Crawford County Jail.