Man sentenced to lengthy prison term in child pornography, solicitation case

A Fayette man was sentenced to a lengthy prison term in Defiance County Common Pleas Court on charges related to child pornography possession and solicitation.

Michael Jenkins, 53, pleaded guilty to three counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, second- and fourth-degree felonies; and two counts of importuning, each a fifth-degree felony.

He was sentenced to a nine-11 1/2-year prison sentence by Judge Joseph Schmenk and given credit for 227 days served in jail while his case was pending. Additionally, he was classified as a Tier II sexual offender requiring the registration of his address with authorities in the county he is residing for a specified period.

Seven additional charges of pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, second- and fourth-degree felonies along with two counts of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, each a fifth-degree felony, were dismissed as part of the plea negotiations between Prosecutor Morris Murray’s office and Jenkins’ attorney, Jeff Horvath of Defiance.

A Defiance County grand jury indicted Jenkins on 14 charges in October.

They alleged that he possessed obscene matter involving juveniles, transporting them into Ohio which increases the potential penalty. He also solicited sexual conduct with a city police officer posing as a 14-year female.

Jenkins arranged to meet the purported minor at Pontiac Park where he was arrested, according to Murray.

He said “lots” of “very graphic and obscene material” was discovered on Jenkins’ phone and computer during the investigation. Murray described him as a “definite risk to public safety” and characterized his behavior as “predatory in nature.”