FREMONT, Ohio — Prosecutors have extended a plea offer to a Tiffin man arrested in March in a child sex sting, according to court records from Fremont Municipal Court.
Ronald E. Callahan, 68, of Tiffin, faces a fifth-degree felony charge of attempted importuning after vigilante group Dads Against Predators (D.A.P.) confronted him March 11 at a Fremont Denny’s, alleging he had communicated online with a decoy posing as a 14-year-old boy and arranged to meet in person. He was arrested the following day.
At Callahan’s most recent pre-trial hearing on May 7, Assistant Fremont Prosecutor Dawn M. Haar extended a plea offer “dependent on review of evidentiary issues & electronic evidence,” according to the court’s case management entry. A similar entry from the April 14 pre-trial also referenced a plea offer extended by Haar, contingent on evidentiary review. The terms of the offer have not been made public.
Callahan, who has retained private attorney John M. Kahler II, has demanded a jury trial and waived speedy trial time at both pre-trial hearings.
Defense sought to excuse Callahan from May 7 hearing
Ahead of the May 7 pre-trial, Kahler filed a motion April 28 asking Judge Daniel L. Brudzinski to excuse Callahan from physically appearing at the hearing. The judge denied the motion in a written entry April 29, ordering Callahan to appear in person. The docket reflects a similar motion filed by Kahler ahead of the April 14 hearing.
Final pre-trial set for June 9
Brudzinski has set a final pre-trial hearing for 10 a.m. June 9 at Fremont Municipal Court. Final pre-trials in Ohio criminal cases typically mark the deadline for a plea agreement or trial setting.
If Callahan is convicted on the amended charge, he faces a presumption of prison time under Ohio law. A mandatory prison term applies because the offender is alleged to be ten or more years older than the purported victim and to have arranged a meeting for sexual activity. Callahan is 68. A conviction would also require him to register as a sex offender for 15 years.
Background
Callahan was originally charged with a third-degree felony count of attempted importuning. On March 25, Fremont Law Director James Melle filed a motion to amend the charge, which Brudzinski granted the same day. The amended charge — a fifth-degree felony — more precisely reflects the facts alleged in the case, specifically that the decoy was posing as a 14-year-old, not a child under 13.
Video of the Denny’s confrontation spread rapidly on social media after the incident. Fremont Police Chief Derek Wensinger has said his department and Sandusky County detectives investigated the incident, while noting D.A.P. conducts sting operations outside the parameters of lawful law enforcement investigations.
Callahan operates Ron’s Photography Studio, a self-described “Christian photography business” in the Tiffin area. Court records describe him as a lifetime Seneca County resident employed at NWO Ortho in Tiffin and as a housekeeper registered with the Mental Health Board, with approximately 40 years of prior employment at Heidelberg University in Tiffin.
Callahan has pleaded not guilty and remains free on a $5,000 surety bond with a court order barring contact with any minor.
FREMONT, Ohio — Prosecutors have extended a plea offer to a Tiffin man arrested in March in a child sex sting, according to court records from Fremont Municipal Court. Ronald E. Callahan, 68, of Tiffin, faces a fifth degree felony charge of attempted importuning after vigilante group Dads Against Predators (D.A.P.) confronted him March 11 at a Fremont Denny's, alleging he had communicated online with a decoy posing as a 14 year old boy and arranged to meet in person. He was arrested the following day. At Callahan's most recent pre trial hearing on May 7, Assistant Fremont Prosecutor Dawn M. Haar extended a plea offer "dependent on review of evidentiary issues & electronic evidence," according to the court's case management entry. A similar entry from the April 14 pre trial also referenced a plea offer extended by Haar, contingent on evidentiary review. The terms of the offer have not been made public. Callahan, who has retained private attorney John M. Kahler II, has demanded a jury trial and waived speedy trial time at both pre trial hearings. Defense sought to excuse Callahan from May 7 hearing Ahead of the May 7 pre trial, Kahler filed a motion April 28 asking Judge Daniel L. Brudzinski to excuse Callahan from physically appearing at the hearing. The judge denied the motion in a written entry April 29, ordering Callahan to appear in person. The docket reflects a similar motion filed by Kahler ahead of the April 14 hearing. Final pre trial set for June 9 Brudzinski has set a final pre trial hearing for 10 a.m. June 9 at Fremont Municipal Court. Final pre trials in Ohio criminal cases typically mark the deadline for a plea agreement or trial setting. If Callahan is convicted on the amended charge, he faces a presumption of prison time under Ohio law. A mandatory prison term applies because the offender is alleged to be ten or more years older than the purported victim and to have arranged a meeting for sexual activity. Callahan is 68. A conviction would also require him to register as a sex offender for 15 years. Background Callahan was originally charged with a third degree felony count of attempted importuning. On March 25, Fremont Law Director James Melle filed a motion to amend the charge, which Brudzinski granted the same day. The amended charge — a fifth degree felony — more precisely reflects the facts alleged in the case, specifically that the decoy was posing as a 14 year old, not a child under 13. Video of the Denny's confrontation spread rapidly on social media after the incident. Fremont Police Chief Derek Wensinger has said his department and Sandusky County detectives investigated the incident, while noting D.A.P. conducts sting operations outside the parameters of lawful law enforcement investigations. Callahan operates Ron's Photography Studio, a self described "Christian photography business" in the Tiffin area. Court records describe him as a lifetime Seneca County resident employed at NWO Ortho in Tiffin and as a housekeeper registered with the Mental Health Board, with approximately 40 years of prior employment at Heidelberg University in Tiffin. Callahan has pleaded not guilty and remains free on a $5,000 surety bond with a court order barring contact with any minor.
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