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Two men have been charged with possession of child pornography following search warrants conducted by local law enforcement agencies Thursday.
John Chaffin Jr, 34, was arrested for pandering obscenity involving a minor and drug paraphernalia and transported to the Columbiana County Jail. Agents responded to a home in the 49000 block of state Route 154 in Rogers in reference to information that the resident there was uploading and in possession of child pornographic material. Agents seized numerous cellular phones, computers and electronic equipment during the search.
Additionally, Barry Stephens, 63, was arrested for pandering obscenity involving a minor, and illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material and also transported to the Columbiana County Jail. Agents responded to a home in the 1500 block of Depot Road in reference to information that the resident there was uploading and in possession of child pornographic material. Upon doing a preview of Stephen's computer, agents located a vast quantity of child pornography. Seized during this search warrant were computers, cellular phones and other electronic devices. Agents are also continuing to investigate additional sex related crimes involving Stephens learned during the course of the search warrant.
The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, along with the Columbiana County Sheriff's Office, the East Palestine Police Department, the Salem Police Department, Perry Township Police Department, and the Columbiana County SRT team executed the two search warrants.
According to The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, the task force has seen an uptick in child pornography cases over the past several months, resulting in multiple search warrants being executed. On Feb. 21 agents along with the Wellsville Police Department executed a search warrant after a lengthy investigation into the possession of child pornography; on Feb. 14 agents executed a search warrant in the 300 block of East North Avenue, East Palestine, after an investigation into the possession of child pornography; and in January agents searched a residence on Stump Road in Minerva.
The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force is committed to reducing the demand for sex for hire, providing services to human trafficking victims, and protecting children who are targets or sexual abuse, according to a written statement released by the task force.
"Prostitution related crimes and crimes against children are clandestine in nature, and occur behind the secrecy of a persons home. The Ohio attorney general, (Mahoning County) Sheriff (Jerry) Greene and the chiefs of the task force agencies understand the impact these crimes have on persons lives, and are committed to putting an end to it," said Detective Daniel Haueter of the task force.