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Suspect Admits To Importuning |
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Monday, 27 April 2009 |
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
ST. MARYS — A southwestern Ohio man faces a year in prison after admitting he solicited sex from whom he believed to be a 15-year-old girl via the Internet.
Jonathan A. Tschopp, 49, of Maineville, pleaded guilty to one count of importuning, a fifth-degree felony, during a recent change of plea hearing in Auglaize County Common Pleas Court. Tschopp is scheduled to appear for a sentencing hearing at 11:30 a.m. May 26, where he faces a year in prison and a $2,500 fine. He also will be subject to a sexual offender status hearing, where he could be labeled a Tier I, II or III offender.
Tschopp was one of a handful of suspects arrested during an importuning sting conducted last year by members of the St. Marys Police Department. St. Marys Police Chief Greg Foxhoven said the investigation surrounding Tschopp was one of the longest.
“Patrolman (Brian) Christopher started chatting online with him March 1, 2008, and it ended with his arrest Sept. 2, 2008,” Foxhoven said. “He indicated to us on several different occasions he was going to travel here. He may have traveled here but we know he didn’t meet with us. On the day he showed up, we were surprised.”
Like the other importuning cases, Foxhoven said photographs were exchanged — with the police department using, with their permission, photographs of juveniles who are now adults. Foxhoven also said it did not take long for the conversation to turn to sex.
“It was very quick,” Foxhoven said. “There are dozens and dozens of pages between the two.”
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 29 April 2009 )
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