TOLEDO, Ohio — A Fremont man has been indicted on charges of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor following a months-long investigation into disturbing child pornography claims. Dustyn Michener, 40, was arrested after authorities discovered explicit content involving a young child on his electronic devices.
The case, which has rocked the local community, has raised serious concerns about child safety and the handling of such offenses.
The investigation began five months ago after Fremont Police received a report from children services regarding an inappropriate video of a five-year-old child that had been shared online. Fremont Police Chief Derek Wensinger confirmed that the video, which depicted the young child in a compromising position, was found to be associated with Michener.
The investigation revealed that the device used by the child in the video belonged to Michener, raising questions about how the young child had access to the device.
According to Chief Wensinger, investigators quickly identified the child in question and worked to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident. “The device that the five-year-old had belonged to Dustyn Michener and so there were some concerns about why a five-year-old would be that comfortable with a device,” Wensinger explained. As the investigation continued, officers executed a search warrant at Michener’s home on May Street in Fremont, where they located two videos confirmed as child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The discovery led to the indictment of Michener on two counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor. Michener is currently facing charges that stem from his possession of explicit material involving a young child.
This is not Michener’s first encounter with the law. Court records show that he is a registered sex offender, having previously been convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison for similar crimes. This background has led many in the community to express outrage over his continued presence in society, with some parents calling for life imprisonment in the event of a conviction. One parent, who asked not to be identified, spoke out about the emotional toll the case has taken. “I was disgusted and enraged,” they said, recalling the moment they learned of the case. “I was on the phone with everybody and anybody trying to get answers.” The parent and many others in the community are pushing for a severe penalty should Michener be convicted of the new charges. Michener’s next court appearance is scheduled for February 14, where a judge will determine the next steps in his case.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the full scope of the situation, and police have encouraged anyone with additional information to come forward. As this case continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online content and the importance of protecting vulnerable children from exploitation.
The Fremont community, now left in shock and anger, is anxiously awaiting the legal proceedings that will follow.