Marion Police Make a Child Pornography Arrest
Written by WKTN Staff on March 2, 2023
A 38 year old man from Marion was arrested on Wednesday for pandering obscenity involving a minor.
According to a release from the Marion Police Department, Jon Vitello was arrested after the Ohio Internet Crimes against Children Task Force alerted the department about the crime.
The Marion Police Department acted quickly to investigate the case because Vitello was employed as a contractor to Galion City Schools as an athletic trainer.
Despite his proximity to children, the detectives have found no evidence to suggest that Vitello was engaged in inappropriate or illegal activity involving students.
The charge is a felony of the 2nd degree and sentencing guidelines if convicted are between 2 and 8 years in prison.
Here is the complete release from Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald:
On March 1, 2023, detectives from the Marion Police Department arrested Jon Vitello, age 38 of Marion, for Pandering Obscenity involving a Minor. This crime is a felony of the 2nd degree and sentencing guidelines are between 2 and 8 years in prison for each count.
The Marion Police Department was alerted to the crimes committed by Mr. Vitello by the Ohio Internet Crimes against Children Task Force (ICAC), a collaboration of city, county, state and federal law enforcement authorities across Ohio whose mission is to identify, arrest and prosecute individuals who use the Internet to lure minors into illicit sexual relationships; or use the Internet to produce, distribute or solicit child pornography.
The Marion Police Department acted quickly to investigate this case because Mr. Vitello was employed as a contractor to Galion City Schools as an athletic trainer. Despite his proximity to children, the detectives have found no evidence to suggest that Mr. Vitello was engaged in inappropriate or illegal activity involving students.
“These are serious crimes and they carry serious penalties. Our federal law enforcement and other partners are constantly monitoring the internet for people who are producing, trading or viewing child pornography and consumers of this disgusting crime will be caught and prosecuted. I am grateful for the work of the Ohio Internet Crimes against Children Task Force and the detectives of the Marion Police Department for their excellent work so far in this case” said Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald.
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