A Scioto County criminal case that was already serious just took a “wait, what?” turn.
A superseding indictment filed October 15 adds a startling mix of charges against 22-year-old Ashton Briggs, including allegations involving sexual images of minors, bestiality videos, sexual conduct with animals, and failure to comply with sex-offender registration requirements.
Briggs was originally indicted in July and pleaded not guilty. The court found him indigent, appointed attorney Valerie Webb, and set bond at $100,000 cash or surety.
A jury trial had been scheduled for October 27.
Then prosecutors went back to the grand jury.
The new indictment substantially expands the case.
Briggs now faces charges that include failure to provide notice of a change of address, two counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, attempted pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, three counts of pandering obscenity, and three counts of sexual conduct with an animal.
A warrant was issued after the superseding indictment was filed.
Already Required to Register
The first count alleges Briggs failed to notify the sheriff of a change of address between October 2025 and June 2026.
According to the indictment, that registration requirement stems from a 2022 juvenile court case involving a rape adjudication equivalent to a first-degree felony if committed by an adult.
The new charge is itself listed as a first-degree felony.
Discord Images and Alleged Searches for Child Sexual Material
Several of the new counts focus on alleged obscene material involving minors.
One count says investigators recovered an image from Discord and alleges Briggs knowingly created, reproduced, or published obscene material involving a minor.
A second count makes a similar allegation involving another image.
The attempted pandering count goes further.
According to the indictment, prosecutors allege Briggs engaged in online conversations in which he was actively attempting to obtain child sexual abuse material.
Those allegations cover activity stretching from late 2025 into May 2026.
Then Come the Bestiality Allegations
The indictment then takes another unusual turn.
Three pandering obscenity counts allege Briggs recorded or created three separate bestiality videos between November 2023 and May 2026.
The charging list also includes three counts of sexual conduct with an animal.
That means the case now combines alleged child-sex material, online efforts to obtain additional material, sex-offender registration violations, and allegations involving animals.
Trial Had Already Been Set
Briggs had already been moving toward trial on the earlier indictment.
After his July arraignment, he pleaded not guilty and was held under the $100,000 bond while the court appointed counsel.
A jury trial was scheduled for October 27.
But the October 15 superseding indictment means prosecutors have now expanded the case before that date, and a new warrant has been issued.
Exactly how the new indictment will affect the existing trial schedule remains to be seen.
The allegations in the indictment are accusations, and Briggs is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.