Computer Crime Research Center

child/child5.jpg

Man pleads guilty to Internet sex crime involving police officer posing as young girl

Date: June 23, 2008
Source: Morningjournal.com


NORWALK -- A 27-year-old man pleaded guilty to an Internet sex crime involving whom he believed to be a young girl, according to Wakeman police.

Thomas E. Marquis Jr., 27, of Bellefontaine, pleaded guilty in Huron County Common Pleas Court to three counts of importuning last week, according to the prosecutor's office and police. Marquis' bond was continued and a sentencing hearing was scheduled for Aug. 5.

Marquis was arrested in August in Bellefontaine by Wakeman and Bellefontaine police departments after a seven-month investigation, said Wakeman police Chief Tim Hunker.

Marquis had been communicating with whom he thought to be a 14-year-old-girl, but was actually an investigator of the Wakeman Police Department, stated Hunker.

There was a Web cam set up by Marquis so he could show lewd photos and movies of himself in pornographic settings and the material went to a Wakeman police officer, stated Hunker.

Marquis was arrested without incident and a search warrant was executed at his residence in Bellefontaine, said Hunker.

Approximately 40 pieces of evidence were collected and transported back to the Wakeman Police Department.

The computer, CD-ROMs and diskettes were taken to the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children's Taskforce where the forensics revealed ''a great amount of child pornography,'' said Hunker.

''I'm very proud of our investigator, Josh Rice. He did an excellent job of investigating this case,'' said Hunker.

In addition to the charges filed in Huron County, numerous felony charges are expected to be filed against Marquis in Logan County, said Hunker.


Add comment  Email to a Friend

Copyright © 2001-2013 Computer Crime Research Center
CCRC logo