Akron officer faces child porn charges
Man, 42, lives in Weathersfield
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NILES -- Bond for an Akron police officer was set at $1 million stemming from allegations that he took explicit photographs of his daughter at his Weathersfield Township home.
Geoffrey Parker, 42, faces a series of felony charges, including illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material and pandering obscenity involving a minor.
Parker, who appeared with a public defender in Niles Municipal Court Wednesday, pleaded not guilty during the brief hearing before Judge Christopher Shaker.
The judge also informed the defendant that he would not be permitted to stay at his residence on Niles Carver Road. Shaker noted the home is next to a township school. He will also be barred from having contact with his "very young in age," children, Shaker said.
A preliminary hearing will take place Monday.
The charges against Parker came to light after he was flagged on a cyber tip that tracked his activity on a text messaging app.
Niles Law Director Phillip Zuzolo said the defendant took explicit photos of his 4-year-old daughter that he then shared to an online chatroom. To get into these rooms, Zuzolo said you have to "give something to get something."
Parker is on administrative leave from the Akron Police Department.
Prior to his arrest he was employed by the apartment for four years. He was arrested by agents from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation Friday. He was then booked into Summit County jail but following his Wednesday hearing he will be held in Trumbull County.
According to a news release from the Akron Police department, Chief Brian Harding said, "I am sickened to learn of these charges against one of our employees. I thank the Bureau of Criminal Investigation for handling this case and trust that the judicial and legal process will reveal the truth. Anyone engaging in this behavior should be held accountable for their actions to the fullest extent possible by law. I'm confident that justice will be served."
The release states that the police department's Office of Professional Standards and Accountability will be conducting their own internal investigation.