Westerville Youth Coach Arrested On Child Porn Charges

COLUMBUS – An investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement in Central Ohio has led to the arrest of Bryan Lehman, 50, of Westerville, Ohio for allegedly producing, receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography.

Carter M. Stewart, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Marlon V. Miller, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott, Westerville Police Chief Joseph Morbitzer and members of the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force announced the arrest today.

The criminal complaint alleges that since November 2010 Lehman participated in the use of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing images or video. He also allegedly received, distributed, and possessed sexually explicit images and video of minors.

Production of child pornography is punishable by a range of 15 to 30 years in prison. Receipt and distribution of child pornography are punishable by a range of 5 to 20 years in prison.

Lehman served as a volunteer coach for the Westerville Youth Baseball and Softball League in the spring of 2014. He is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing today at 2 p.m. in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Terrence P. Kemp.

The Franklin County ICAC Task Force is a multi-agency effort dedicated to the fight against computer facilitated crimes against children. The following agencies are members:

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office                    Upper Arlington Police Department
Grove City Police Department                        Columbus Police Department
Grandview Heights Police Department       Whitehall Police Department
Hilliard Police Department                               Westerville Police Department
Homeland Security Investigations                U.S. Secret Service
Ohio ICAC                                                                Franklin County Prosecutor's Office

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorney's Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children as well as to identify and rescue victims.

U.S. Attorney Stewart commended the members of the ICAC Task Force for the cooperative investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Hill and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Rausch, who are representing the United States in this case.

Charges contained in a complaint are allegations. All defendants should be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.