The latest session of the Scioto County Grand Jury delivered a staggering total of 126 felony counts tied to child sexual abuse and exploitation — all involving just four people across three unrelated investigations.
In all, jurors returned 39 counts of rape and 87 counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving minors or impaired persons, painting a grim picture of abuse uncovered in Minford, Otway, and Portsmouth.
The cases involve:
- Jeffrey Gilliland, 67, of Minford — 24 counts of rape
- Derek Stanley, 36, of Otway — 15 counts of rape
- Gerald Ohara, 43, of Portsmouth — 49 counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor or impaired person
- Beverly Ohara, 38, of Portsmouth — 49 counts of the same charge
Each case stems from a separate investigation — but all center on allegations of sexual violence or exploitation of children.
Otway Case: Teen Reports Ongoing Sexual Assault
According to court records, Stanley is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a teenage victim between December 1, 2024, and January 30, 2026.
Investigators say the case came to light after a mother contacted authorities on January 31, 2026, reporting that her 14-year-old child disclosed being sexually assaulted. Deputies and detectives responded immediately and began an investigation.
Sheriff David Thoroughman said detectives learned the abuse was not isolated — but had allegedly been happening since the victim was 13 years old.
Grand jury documents allege Stanley purposely compelled the victim to submit through force or threats of force, leading to 15 felony rape counts. Stanley was arrested roughly three weeks before the indictments were returned.
Minford Case: Six-Year-Old Child Reported Assault
You’ll remember Gilliland was arrested in late January following a separate investigation by the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Sheriff Thoroughman, deputies were contacted on January 28, 2026, after a mother reported that her six-year-old child disclosed being sexually assaulted. The child was taken to Adena Medical Center Chillicothe for evaluation and later released.
Detectives interviewed Gilliland the following day, and he was arrested shortly afterward.
The grand jury alleges Gilliland committed multiple sexual assaults between July 1, 2025, and January 28, 2026, causing serious physical harm and forcing the child to submit to sexual acts through threats or force. He now faces 24 rape counts.
Portsmouth Case: Infant and Child Abuse Material Leads to Massive Superseding Indictment
The third case involves Gerald and Beverly Ohara, who were first arrested in December after an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) tip led Portsmouth detectives to their home on 20th Street.
Investigators say ICAC alerted local police that child sexual abuse material was being shared online using phone numbers linked to the couple. A search warrant was executed on December 4, 2025, and both suspects were taken into custody.
Initially indicted on four counts in January, the Oharas entered not guilty pleas and were appointed public defenders. A jury trial scheduled for February 25 was canceled on February 24.
Then came a major development.
A superseding indictment filed February 18 expanded the case to 49 counts each, alleging the creation, possession, and distribution of sexually explicit material involving prepubescent children — some described in court filings as infants.
According to records, prosecutors allege the couple knowingly created and shared graphic material depicting minors engaged in sexual activity.
The Oharas are now scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on March 18.
A Sobering Total
Taken together, the three cases account for:
- 39 rape counts
- 87 pandering counts
- 126 felony charges overall
All tied to alleged crimes against children.
Court officials note that indictments are accusations, not convictions, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Still, the volume and nature of the charges have sent shockwaves through Scioto County — a sobering reminder of the ongoing work required to protect vulnerable children and bring alleged offenders to justice.
