COLUMBUS – Three central Ohio men are facing federal charges related to child pornography involving children under four years of age.
According to court documents unsealed Tuesday a federal grand jury in May charged David Fairchild, 45, of Kirkersville; Jesse Szuba, 31, of Newark; and Mike Allen, 36, of Heath, on charges related to creating and distributing child pornography.
The Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in January regarding a video depicting child sexual abuse uploaded to Google and traced to Fairchild, the court documents said.
The 11-count second superseding indictment alleges Fairchild sexually abused a female victim less than three years of age and created child pornography involving her and that Szuba attempted to produce child pornography involving a boy less than four yers old.
Szuba and Fairchild allegedly met on Craigslist and communicated with each other about sexually abusing the toddlers and, during their communications, they exchanged child pornography files and discussed plans to engage in various sex acts with each other and the victims.
It is further alleged that Szuba suggested other sex acts that Fairchild perpetrate against the female victim and asked Fairchild to send Szuba pictures or videos of that abuse.
Between Jan. 26 and 31, authorities allege that Fairchild repeatedly sent, images and videos requested by Szuba depicting sexual abuse of the girl and that Fairchild also sent child pornography files to Allen.
Szuba pleaded guilty in late August to advertising for child pornography, which is punishable by 15 to 30 years in prison.
Conspiring to produce child pornography is also a federal crime punishable up to 30 years in prison while receiving child pornography carries a potential sentence of five to 20 years, federal authorities said.