WARNING EXPLICIT CONTENT
BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—A 27-year-old man from New Washington, Dustin Swartz, made an appearance via video in Crawford County Municipal Court on Wednesday. He stood before Judge Shawn Leuthold for an initial hearing.
Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Meagher revealed that Swartz’s online communications with like-minded individuals on a website, where he confessed his inclination towards sexual activity with children, caught the attention of the ICAC (Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children) task force. They then contacted the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, leading to a search of Swartz’s home on Tuesday and his subsequent arrest.
During the search, law enforcement officers seized seven electronic devices, including Swartz’s cell phone, laptop, computers, and a PlayStation. Yesterday, they examined Swartz’s phone and discovered around 15,000 images. Prior to today’s hearing, they were able to watch 500 videos, with 69 of those videos featuring children between the ages of 3 and 13 engaged in sexual activity.
Assistant Crawford County Prosecutor Thomas Meagher assured Judge Leuthold that there is no doubt the phone belonged to Swartz.
Meagher requested a one million dollar bond, considering the potential sentence of up to 240 years in prison based on the 69 videos already reviewed, as well as an expected 39 additional counts from the upcoming grand jury.
Furthermore, the proximity of Swartz to children due to his occupation as a registered nurse at Ohio Health hospital in Mansfield for the past nine years was taken into account.
Swartz enlisted the services of attorney Amy Smith as his legal representation. Smith informed the court that her client has no prior criminal record and has worked as a registered nurse at Ohio Health in Mansfield for nine years. Swartz is married and does not have any children. Smith proposed that her client be placed under house arrest, equipped with real-time GPS monitoring, and be prohibited from accessing the internet or being in contact with children while on bond.
Judge Leuthold acknowledged that although Swartz has no previous criminal record, the allegations against him are grave and, if true, pose a significant threat to public safety. Leuthold set the bond at $750,000.00 and a preliminary hearing will be scheduled in Common Pleas Court.
If Swartz is able to pay the cash bond, he will be required to wear a real-time tracking device, remain under house arrest, and surrender his passport.
Crawford County Now will continue to provide updates on this ongoing story.