A Portsmouth man already facing child exploitation charges has now been formally indicted by the Scioto County Grand Jury. According to the indictment, one file allegedly depicted the prolonged sexual abuse and torture of a prepubescent child.
Gary Preston, 55, of Portsmouth, was indicted during the grand jury’s latest session on 32 counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor. The details of this indictment are so disturbing that we can’t print them here.
The indictment stems from an investigation that began earlier this year after information was forwarded to local authorities by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
🚨 INVESTIGATION BEGAN WITH NATIONAL TIP
As SCDN previously reported, investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force flagged information suggesting child sexual abuse material may have been connected to electronic devices in Portsmouth.
On April 23, Portsmouth police detectives executed a search warrant at a residence on 27th Street.
Following the search of the home and electronic devices, Preston was arrested on multiple felony charges involving the alleged possession and creation of child sexual abuse material.
⚖️ GRAND JURY DETAILS REVEAL DISTURBING ALLEGATIONS
The grand jury indictment contains descriptions of files investigators allege were found during the investigation.
According to the indictment, one file allegedly depicted the prolonged sexual abuse and torture of a prepubescent child.
Court documents describe material involving extreme violence, bondage, and repeated sexual assaults against a young child.
The allegations outlined in the indictment are graphic and deeply disturbing. Due to the nature of the material and the age of the alleged victim, SCDN is choosing not to publish the full details contained in the court filing.
The two additional counts involve image files that prosecutors allege constitute obscene material involving minors.
👀 WHAT THESE CHARGES MEAN
Ohio law makes it a felony not only to possess child sexual abuse material, but also to create, reproduce, distribute, or publish it.
Prosecutors allege Preston knowingly created, reproduced, or possessed the files identified in the indictment.
The charges are allegations, and Preston is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
📅 COURT DATE SET
Preston is scheduled to appear in Scioto County Common Pleas Court for arraignment on June 12.
The case remains under investigation.
🚔 ABOUT THE ICAC TASK FORCE
The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is a nationwide network of law enforcement agencies that investigate crimes involving the online exploitation of children.
The task force routinely works with internet service providers, social media companies, and local police departments to identify individuals suspected of possessing, sharing, or producing child sexual abuse material.
Cases often begin with tips generated through national databases or online monitoring efforts and can lead to local search warrants and criminal prosecutions.
