LISBON — A former substitute teacher and paraprofessional accused of possessing videos depicting minors engaged in sex acts entered a guilty plea Tuesday to  13 felony counts of pandering obscenity and one count of drug paraphernalia.

John M. McFarland, 43, Steubenville Pike Road, Lisbon, will face sentencing at 10:20 a.m. April 13 in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.

He was accompanied by his defense attorney, Kiran Kavoor Mikhaiel, who withdrew a previously filed motion to suppress evidence in the case, in light of the plea being entered. McFarland has remained out of jail on a $75,000 cash or surety bond, which Judge Megan Bickerton continued pending the sentencing.

McFarland pleaded guilty to 13 counts of fourth-degree felony pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person and one count of misdemeanor illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was originally indicted for 16 counts of the fourth-degree felony pandering obscenity charge, along with five counts of second-degree felony pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, and single counts of illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance, a fifth-degree felony, and misdemeanor illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was accused of possessing numerous videos depicting children being sexually assaulted and engaging in sexual activity and conduct on May 20, 2025 in Center Township and for allegedly possessing a methamphetamine pipe.

County Assistant Prosecutor Alec Beech advised the judge there was no felony plea agreement in place, but he explained what charges were involved in the plea. He didn’t recite what he’ll be recommending for sentencing.

Bickerton advised McFarland of the rights he was giving up with  his plea and asked if he was doing so willingly. He was also asked if the plea was of his own free will. He said yes.

According to Bickerton, the maximum possible prison penalty for the fourth-degree felonies is 18 months each and the maximum for the misdemeanor charge is up to 30 days in the county jail. She also advised him that he may be designated a Tier II sex offender.

When asked for his plea, Bickerton asked him for each count separately, with McFarland saying guilty to each one. She ordered a pre-sentence investigation and an evaluation for the Eastern Ohio Correction Center.

The affidavit filed in Columbiana County Municipal Court by an agent with the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force said that McFarland allegedly transmitted a video depicting a young minor male engaging in sexual conduct via a social media platform on Oct. 10, 2022. On May 5, 2025, he allegedly transmitted via email nine videos depicting minors engaging in sexual activity, besides being in possession of the videos on May 20, 2025. According to the affidavit, McFarland held positions of trust in the past, including corrections officer, drug counselor, bus driver and substitute teacher. His contract with the county Educational Service Center was terminated on May 22, 2025, one day after he had been suspended and placed on administrative leave, according to the ESC meeting minutes.