Scioto County man accused of sexually pandering minor
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WCMH) — A southern Ohio man is being held in Scioto County Jail after being arrested under suspicion of sexual pandering.
According to the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, detectives working with the Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim Unit and the FBI conducted a search warrant on White Gravel Dewey Road, north of Minford, Ohio, where they seized several pieces of evidence in relation to an investigation regarding sex crimes.
Authorities arrested 27-year-old Nicholas Ranieri after seizing game systems, computers and cell phones. The investigation revealed that Ranieri would go online to play Fortnite and other games with underage boys.
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Ranieri would then allegedly offer to buy the boy games and gaming materials if the boy performed sexual acts online. He also reportedly performed sexual acts for the juvenile to watch.
Charges for Ranieri include, but may not be limited to, pandering obscenity involving a minor and disseminating material harmful to a juvenile. He is being held on a $125,000 bond after an arraignment hearing in Scioto County Municipal Court Tuesday.
Sheriff Thoroughman said the investigation is ongoing. Should more victims come forward additional charges could be filed and be presented to the Scioto County Grand Jury at a later date.
Anyone with information is asked contact Detective Sergeant Conkel at 740-351-1091.
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