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  • Public Safety
    Woodbine Apartments

    Late-Night Disturbance at Woodbine Apartments Raises Concerns for Kids in the Home 

    Family Dollar

    Family Dollar Employee Foils Shoplifters  

    Southern Ohio Human Trafficking

    Another Arrest Tied to Southern Ohio’s Ongoing Human Trafficking Crackdown 

    Pit Bull Bites Baby’s Face & Other Cases Highlights Strain on Animal Control 

    Good Samaritan 2

    Man on Dating App Does the Right Thing — Calls Deputies After Suspecting Teen Contact 

    SCDN File Photo

    Mound Park Complaints Pile Up: Fights, Threats, and False Alarms 

    Scioto County Grand Jury Indictments

    12 New Scioto County Grand Jury Indictments

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 10/03/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

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    Two Wanted Men Nabbed at Portsmouth Homeless Shelter in Back-to-Back Weeks 

    HEROES KICK DOWN DOOR TO SAVE ELDERLY MAN 

    woman arrested handcuffs

    Two-for-One Arrest in West Portsmouth 

    Man Reported Hiding in Bushes, Peeking in Windows at Portsmouth Apartments 

    Grand Jury

    Lucasville Pair Indicted on Child Sex-Related Charges 

    Union Township EMS

    Union Township Cuts Off EMS to Rarden – Here’s Why 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 10/02/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

    PPD 1522

    Semi Smashes Pole on Marshall Avenue, Flees Scene 

    BAD BEHAVIOR

    Man Pops a Squat in Church Fountain as Portsmouth Police Confront Wave of Trouble 

    Shots Fired at Teen Near 16th Street: Juvenile Suspect Detained 

    arrested man arrest

    Sharp-Eyed Deputies Spot Stolen Truck in Wheelersburg Lot 

    Rehab

    Man Leaves Rehab, Makes Threats: Another Glimpse at Scioto County’s Treatment Struggles 

  • Lawrence County
  • Politics

    Democrats Blast Bryan Davis: “Quit Collecting a Paycheck You’re Not Earning” 

    Robert Horton

    Update in Robert Horton Corruption Case 

    Davis Commish

    No Updates, Just an Empty Seat: Powell and Smith Say Davis Drama is Out of Their Hands

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    Parking, Murals, and an Indicted Commissioner: Sparks Fly at Portsmouth City Manager’s Conference 

    Bryan Davis Due Back In Court October 21 

    Sean Dunne Next Mayor of Portsmouth?

    Dunne: “It’s Time for Portsmouth to Speak Up” on Davis Resignation 

    confused woman

    Portsmouth Council Weighs Asking Davis to Resign 

    Turning Point USA

    Student Democrats Deny Role in Petition to Ban Turning Point USA at SSU 

    Turning Point USA

    Portsmouth Politics Escalate: SSU Students Petition to Ban Turning Point USA

    Recorder Gary Jenkins

    Scioto County Recorder’s Office Increases Fees 

    Scottie Powell

    Commissioner Powell Responds to Conflict of Interest Questions 

    FOP Endorses Malone, Neff in Portsmouth City Election 

    Bryan Davis

    Where’s Bryan Davis? GOP Says Step Down — Court Says Suspended

    SCDN File Photo

    Where’s Bryan Davis? After Two Missed Meetings, GOP Says It’s Time to Step Down 

    This bench is a different bench located near Jim Dandy's

    Exclusive: The Bench Is Back — But the Political Drama Isn’t Over 

    crisis question

    Where’s Bryan Davis? Commissioners, Citizens Ask the Same Question 

    Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis

    Bryan Davis Arraignment Set, New Judge Assigned 

    Bryan Davis

    Why Commissioner Davis Staying in Office Raises Big Problems 

    Scottie Powell

    Powell Calls on Commissioner Davis to Resign 

    Scioto County Bryan Davis Scandal

    🗓 Timeline of a Scandal: How Scioto County’s Economic Development Crisis Unfolded 

  • Feel Good
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    How To Make Your Daily Driver Feel Like a Sports Car

    A person's hand is holding a miniature wooden house with a green roof and a budding plant on top against a green background.

    How To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home

    A man sitting in a vehicle is handing over an ID card to a female police officer standing by his window.

    Tips for Staying Calm During Police Encounters

    Cyn Mackley

    Cyn Mackley Channels Haunted Appalachia

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    Creative Ways To Host Outdoor Events This Summer

    A family of two parents and a young boy and girl are playing laser tag with vests and laser blasters in an arena.

    What Activities To Offer at a Family Fun Center

    Shawnee State University SSU

    Shawnee State University Joins New Athletic Conference, Adds Football to Lineup 

    BREAKING: Commissioners Make Shocking Decision—Halloween to Remain on Halloween 

    Escape to the Hills: A Summer Reading List Set in Appalachia 

    Scioto County Champs: Lady Trojans and Word Wizards Bring Home the Gold 

    “I Held Those Keys Tight” — One Man’s Harrowing Journey from Addiction to Hope 

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    Tips for Selecting the Color of a Quinceañera Dress

    The Day the Streak Ended: Lakers’ 1987 Record Broken

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    Night Fishing: Who Is It for and How Do You Start?

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    Cops Rescue Lost Man 

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    Kid Misses Bus, Deputy to the Rescue 

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    Hidden Gems: Community Strategies for Mental Wellness

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    Man Says He’s Trapped in Armory 

    Good Samaritan 2

    Good Neighbor and Officer to the Rescue 

    Portsmouth Flood Wall Stars

    Meet the New Flood Wall Stars! 

  • Obituaries
    Patricia Aileen (White) Attaway

    Patricia Aileen (White) Attaway of Georgia

    Bonnie Lafrida Riddlebarger

    Bonnie Lafrida Riddlebarger, 88 of New Boston

    Fontella Munn

    Fontella Munn, 87 of Lucasville

    Beverly Jane Kessinger

    Beverly Jane Kessinger, 82 of Friendship

    Barbara Williams

    Beth Ann Fite, 68 of Wheelersburg

    Barbara Williams

    Linda Kay Percell, 77 of Wheelersburg,

    William Emanuel Redoutey Sr

    William Emanuel Redoutey Sr., 80 of Portsmouth

    R. Eugene O. Collins

    R. Eugene O. Collins, 93 of West Portsmouth

    James E. Armstrong

    James E. Armstrong, 81 of Russell

    Leander Workman, Sr.

    Leander Workman, Sr., age 90, of South Portsmouth

    Phyllis Ann Murphy Picklesimer

    Phyllis Ann Murphy Picklesimer, 70 formerly of Lafollette

    Barbara Williams

    Deborah Sue Arnett, 73 of Wheelersburg

    Barbara Williams

    Phyllis Jean Porter, 81 of Wheelersburg

    James Taylor

    James Franklin Taylor, 94 of Wheelersburg

    Brian Keith Cogar, 68 of South Webster

    Patricia Salmons Smith 78 of McDermott

    Billy Ray White

    Billy Ray White, 66 of Portsmouth

    Leatha S. Queen

    Leatha S. Queen, 67 of Rosemount

    Timothy Eugene Coldiron

    Timothy Eugene Coldiron, 55 of Wheelersburg

    Penny Sue (Scaggs) Henthorn

    Penny Sue Henthorn

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9 Child Predator Busts in Southern Ohio: Authorities Warn ‘The Danger Is Real’ 

Cyn Mackley by Cyn Mackley
3 months ago
in Public Safety
Clayton Pender

Clayton Pender

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In the quiet towns of Southern Ohio—where neighborhoods are tight-knit and schools are central to daily life—a chilling truth has come to light: child predators are not just an online menace or distant threat. They’re here. In our communities. And law enforcement says the danger is very real. 

Over the past year, a coordinated and aggressive effort by multiple law enforcement agencies has uncovered deeply disturbing crimes involving child sexual exploitation, trafficking attempts, and the distribution of graphic child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The sheer scale and depravity of these crimes should serve as a wake-up call to every parent and caregiver in the region. 

Uncovering a Network of Predators 

Investigations led by the Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force, in partnership with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and multiple county and city law enforcement agencies, have resulted in a string of arrests and convictions. 

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Sean Spellman, arrested in late summer 2024, was found in possession of CSAM involving infants. He’s now serving 16–20 years in prison. 

Michael Waugh, Larry Zehm, Carl Loper, and Brad Peters were arrested during online sting operations for attempting to engage in or purchase sex from minors. All were successfully prosecuted in Pike County. 

On April 16, 2025, Kyle Rhoades was sentenced to 16–20 years for his own possession of CSAM. 

In spring 2025, Byron Myers and Joseph Keeney were indicted for allegedly trying to solicit sex from a minor. 

Perhaps most shockingly, Joseph Heflin, from Texas, traveled across state lines with the intent to abduct a child from Pike County and take her out of state. That case has drawn national interest and remains under federal investigation. 

And on July 3, 2025, Clayton Huber Pender, a convicted child molester out on parole, was arrested for attempting to produce CSAM involving children as young as 10. He was captured thanks to joint efforts between Ohio and Georgia law enforcement. 

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A Unified Front Against Exploitation 

Local agencies, including the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, Portsmouth and New Boston Police Departments, and the FBI, have all played critical roles in the operations. Special thanks were extended to officers and operatives who worked undercover, exposing predators by posing as children online. 

The Warning for Parents: This Danger Is Not Theoretical 

Let’s be clear: These crimes are not happening in far-off cities—they are happening right here in Southern Ohio. The internet has removed geographic boundaries for predators, and they are actively seeking out vulnerable children in our area. 

If you’re a parent, the time to act is now. Law enforcement urges families to stay vigilant: 

Tips for Keeping Your Children Safe 

Monitor online activity. Know what apps your child is using, who they’re talking to, and what they’re sharing. 

Have open conversations. Encourage your kids to come to you with concerns. Let them know it’s okay to talk about anything that feels uncomfortable. 

Use parental controls. Most devices and internet providers offer settings that limit access to unsafe content. 

Stay informed. Keep up to date with local news and law enforcement alerts about ongoing investigations or threats. 

Report suspicious activity. If you suspect online grooming or exploitation, report it immediately to law enforcement or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). 

What Comes Next 

With multiple cases still under investigation, authorities are urging continued public support and awareness. Community members are asked to remain alert and report anything unusual. “We’ve made progress,” said Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman, “but this battle is far from over.” 

These recent cases serve as a stark and sobering reminder: No community is immune. It’s time we all recognize the danger, educate ourselves and our children, and work together to protect the most vulnerable among us. 

If you suspect a child is in danger, call 911 immediately. To report child sexual exploitation, contact the CyberTipline at 1-800-843-5678 or visit www.missingkids.org. 

Let’s protect our kids—because the threat is real, and it’s here. 

Tags: ArrestsAttorney GeneralChildrenDavid ThoroughmanFBIFeaturedinvestigationLawmissingNationalNew BostonNewsletterOhioPike CountyPolicePortsmouthschoolsScioto CountyScioto County Sheriff David ThoroughmanSheriffSouthern Ohio
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