A 32-year-old La Rue man pleaded guilty in Marion County court to four felony counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, admitting his crimes in open court as prosecutors and his defense jointly recommend a 10-to-12-year prison sentence. Phillip William Vanscoy will also face the other consequences required by the court and Ohio law.
The case against Vanscoy began with a single cyber tip from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, according to Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan's office. The Marion County Sheriff's Office investigated allegations involving Vanscoy's phone and collection of child sexual abuse material in Marion, Ohio.
Vanscoy was originally indicted by a Marion County grand jury in April on four second-degree felony counts and evidence tampering, before a supplemental indictment in July expanded the case to 11 felony counts, according to WKTN. Investigators reported that Vanscoy used Kik, a messaging app with disappearing messages and anonymity features, to download the illicit material, according to Marion County Now.
Public Appeal Over Youth Group Contact
In July, authorities urged anyone with additional information to contact the sheriff's office, the outlet's report noted. That appeal underscored the concern driving the investigation even as the criminal case moved toward resolution. A separate program was also listed by Crime Fix with Angenette Levy.
Under Ohio Revised Code § 2907.323, illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance is classified as a second-degree felony, carrying a maximum statutory sentence of up to 8 years in prison and a $15,000 fine per count, according to WomensLaw.org. Offenses under Ohio Revised Code § 2907.323(A)(1) and (A)(2) are described as Tier II offenses with a typical 25-year registration period under Ohio law, per Patituce & Associates.
Prosecutor Calls Case Among the Worst
Prosecuting Attorney Grogan described the images as extremely alarming and illegal, according to the prosecutor's office statement. The prosecutor's office also issued a statement about the case.
A guilty plea is described, though the joint recommendation calls for 10 to 12 years. Earlier reporting also appeared from WKTN's earlier reporting.
Ohio ICAC Task Force Identified in Case
The Ohio ICAC Task Force was identified as the source of the cyber tip in Vanscoy's case.
Vanscoy lives in La Rue. The case was also listed in connection with Crime Fix with Angenette Levy.
