×

Man arrested on child porn charges

A Washington County man has been charged with crimes related to bringing a minor across state lines to engage in sex acts.

James A. Sabolick, 56, was arrested Thursday on federal charges of producing child pornography and bringing a West Virginia minor to Washington County to engage in illicit sex acts.

He appeared Thursday in federal court in Columbus.

According to court documents, Marietta police officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that Sabolick was driving on July 24, 2021. It is alleged that Sabolick was attempting to conceal a person in his vehicle during that traffic stop when he initially indicated to law enforcement that he was alone. Shortly after, officers discovered a minor in the back seat of Sabolick’s vehicle.

An affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint details that Sabolick allegedly drove the minor from West Virginia to a cabin near his residence in Washington County, for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct.

After further investigation at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, conducted by the Southeastern Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, it is alleged that Sabolick engaged in various sex acts with the minor. Those included acts involving abuse such as needle pokes, lighter burns, restraints, strangulation and urination. Items recovered from Sabolick’s hunting cabin and vehicle included pantyhose, lubricant and a box of t-pins.

It is also alleged that during the course of these sex acts and acts of abuse, the defendant photographed the minor victim. Agents allegedly discovered images of child pornography depicting the minor victim on Sabolick’s cell phone. Numerous images of child exploitation material were also recovered when conducting federal search warrants and forensic analysis on his electronic device.

Sabolick is charged in the federal criminal complaint with traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct (punishable by up to 30 years in prison), producing child pornography (which carries a sentencing range of 15 to 30 years in prison) and possessing child pornography (a federal crime punishable up to 10 years in prison).

The case was investigated by the Southeastern Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force and the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.15/week.

Subscribe Today