A 76-year-old Middletown man who until recently worked as a custodian at a Lakota junior high is now facing a slate of felony child-exploitation and evidence-tampering charges in Butler County. A grand jury has indicted Dennis Lahr on three counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material and three counts of tampering with evidence, according to court records. Authorities say the investigation is still active as prosecutors build the case.
In a press release posted to the Butler County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, officials said detectives opened their probe after a witness reported seeing Lahr viewing child sexual-abuse material. Detective Partin arrested Lahr on May 4, 2026, according to the Butler County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Richard K. Jones praised his investigators in the post, saying they “work tirelessly to protect children and aggressively investigate anyone involved in exploiting minors.”
Investigation timeline
Detectives learned that some of the alleged activity reportedly began in 2023, and a Butler County grand jury returned the indictment on May 22, 2026, according to WLWT. The outlet reported that the sheriff's office called the allegations disturbing and urged anyone with additional information to contact investigators.
School response
Lahr worked at Hopewell Junior School in West Chester Township. Lakota Local Schools told parents that the employee was first placed on paid administrative leave after the district learned of complaints, then suspended without pay once criminal charges were filed, according to FOX19. The district said Lahr did not work during regular school hours and had minimal interaction with students. The school board approved his retirement prior to the indictment.
Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser told FOX19 there is no allegation that any of the conduct involved students at Hopewell Junior School.
Charges under Ohio law
The indictment's counts line up with two felony statutes in Ohio. Illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material is defined under Ohio Revised Code §2907.323, while tampering with evidence is covered by Ohio Revised Code §2921.12. Both offenses are felonies that can carry prison time if a defendant is convicted.
What happens next
WLWT reports the grand jury returned the indictment on May 22, and court filings will now set Lahr's arraignment and future hearing dates in Butler County Common Pleas Court.
Earlier reporting by FOX19 noted that Lahr was booked into the Butler County Jail, posted a $10,000 bond, and was to be fitted with an electronic ankle monitor while the investigation continued.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Butler County Sheriff's Office tip line or submit an anonymous tip online, according to the Butler County Sheriff's Office. This story will be updated as additional court records and official filings become available.
