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WARREN -- A West Farmington man on Monday pleaded guilty to seven felony charges connected to sexual offenses against a teenager.
Christopher Callaway, 37, of West Main Street, appeared with his attorney Heather Ninni before Judge Cynthia Rice in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, where he was sentenced to 8 to 10 years in prison. Rice also labeled Callaway a Tier 3 sexual offender where after release from prison he would have to register his address with the local sheriff's office four times per year for the rest of his life.
Callaway was accused of allegations that included he solicited sex from a teen who was between the ages of 13 and 15 during 2021. The case was investigated by the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office, and prosecutors said Callaway could face more charges as state and federal investigators have been interviewing about 50 potential victims.
Callaway pleaded guilty to one count importuning, two counts pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, three counts illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance and one count disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.
He also was accused of sending the teen inappropriate and lewd images of himself.
Ohio law defines importuning as someone who solicits a teen for sex acts.
Rice said consecutive sentences were necessary to protect the public and punish Callaway appropriately because of the seriousness of the offenses. She also said the presentence report showed Callaway was highly likely to reoffend.
The judge said the victim tried to commit suicide through a drug overdose and this is how the offenses were discovered by family members.
Geauga County Court records show Callaway was sentenced to six months in jail after violating probation for a 2016 conviction of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material and disseminating matter harmful to a juvenile. He was then labeled a Tier 1 offender.
Callaway has been incarcerated in Trumbull County jail since Sept. 27, 2022, records show.