Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney

06/23/2025

MULTI-AGENCY OPERATIONS TARGETS ONLINE CHILD PREDATORS

PORT CLINTON, OH- Beginning on June 19, 2025 and continuing through June 22, 2025, the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children, in partnership with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, and the Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office conducted Operation Safe Harbor- an extensive undercover investigation targeting individuals engaged in the online solicitation of minors.

Throughout the four-day operation, law enforcement officers posed as children between the ages of 12 and 15 on various online platforms. Suspects who initiated contact and expressed intent to engage in s*xual activity traveled to pre-arranged locations believing they were meeting a minor. Some individuals also offered monetary compensation in exchange for s*xual conduct.

Operation Safe Harbor was launched as part of an ongoing commitment to combat child exploitation and safeguard children in our communities. This operation underscores the proactive and collaborative approach law enforcement is taking to address a growing threat in the digital age.

The success of Operation Safe Harbor was made possible by the coordinated efforts of multiple local, state, and federal justice system partners. Participating agencies included Ohio ICAC, Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office/Major Crimes Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, Tiffin Police Department, Sandusky County Drug Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Port Clinton Police Department, Oak Harbor Police Department, City of Perrysburg Police Department, Defiance Police Department, Danbury Township Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals.

Over the course of the 4-day operation, the following individuals were arrested:

• Robert Neuenschwander, 75, of Delta, Ohio was charged with 2 counts of Importuning, 2 counts of Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and 2 counts of Possession of Criminal Tools.

• Luis Romero Perez, 29, of Toledo, Ohio was charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and Possession of Criminal Tools.

• Noelan Winston, 23 of Huron, Ohio was charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Possession of Criminal Tools, and Attempted Complicity to Sexual Battery.

• Stephen Walterbach, 43, of Marblehead, Ohio was charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and Possession of Criminal Tools.

• Keith Geyer, 46, of North Royalton, Ohio was charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Compelling Prostitution, and Possession of Criminal Tools.

• Ryan Thomas, 40, of Swanton, Ohio was charged with Importuning and Possession of Criminal Tools.

• Larry Clark Wymer, 35, of Whitehouse, Ohio was charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Possession of Criminal Tools, and Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles. Mr. Wymer is a Tier II registered s*x offender having previously being convicted in 2013 in Lucas County of Gross Sexual Imposition involving a minor.

• Adam Smith, 38, of Oregon, Ohio was charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and Possession of Criminal Tools.

Numerous other suspects have been identified and investigators will continue to follow up on those leads.

“Online exploitation of children is a serious and evolving threat,” said James VanEerten, Ottawa County Prosecutor. “We are committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who seek to harm children in our communities.”

Further details may be limited pending ongoing investigations. Additional charges may be filed at the conclusion of the investigation.

05/02/2025

The Ottawa County Major Crimes Unit said the investigation began following a tip from the Tiffin Police Department.

04/12/2025

Man arrested for allegedly uploading child s*xual abuse material to online platform >> https://tinyurl.com/4xcz28je

03/13/2025

11/01/2024

10/20/2024

The Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney and the Ottawa County Prevention Coalition, in collaboration with the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot are committed to community safety. With recent changes in ma*****na legislation, it's crucial to safely store fi****ms, prescription pills, and ma*****na to prevent accidental exposure, especially to children. We are providing safe storage cases to help protect our community, beginning with the parents in our community.

If you have any questions or need more information, please call 419-734-6800.

09/30/2024

09/30/2024

WANTED $5,000 REWARD

The Ottawa County Prosecutors Office and the Ottawa County Major Crimes Unit is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Sabah Al-Talaqani, last known to reside in Detroit Michigan.

A nationwide arrest warrant for Sabah Al-Talaqani's arrest has been issued by the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court. Al-Talaqani is currently charged with r**e, kidnapping, and felonious assault.

Al-Talaqani is known to have connections in Michigan, Washington, Ohio, Florida and Georgia. Anyone with information about Al-Talaqani's whereabouts should contact the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office at 419.734.4404 or the Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office at 419.734.6845. Tips can also be submitted electronically to [email protected]. The identity of anyone providing informant will remain anonymous.

02/27/2023

After a recent session of the Ottawa County Grand Jury, indictments have now been returned against the following individuals:

-Matthew Shiffert, who is currently being held in the Ottawa County Detention Facility, was indicted on eight counts of Pandering Obscenity involving a Minor, all felonies of the second degree, as well as one count of Failure to Register a Change of Identifiers, a felony of the fourth degree. According to reports of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Shiffert, a registered s*x offender, was allegedly found with pornographic images of minors on his computer.

-Jordan Rollins, who is currently being held in the Ottawa County Detention Facility, was indicted on charges of Attempted Murder and Felonious Assault. According to reports of the Genoa Police Department, Rollins allegedly swung a large knife at an individual in a Genoa residence, causing serious injuries to the victim.

-Matthew Hudak, who is also being held in the Ottawa County Detention Facility, has been charged with felony counts of Robbery, Safecracking, Felonious Assault, and Theft. According to reports of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Hudak reportedly stole nearly $5,000 of liquor from a Portage Township liquor store, then nearly struck a deputy sheriff with his vehicle as he was fleeing the scene.

-Eric Robertson, who is also being held in the Ottawa County Detention Facility, was indicted on four counts of Trafficking in Drugs, Possession of Drugs, two counts of Corrupting another with Drugs, and one count of Possession of Weapons under Disability, all felonies. According to reports of the Ottawa County Drug Task Force, Robertson is accused of selling methamphetamine on three occasions earlier this year. Agents of the Drug Task Force obtained a search warrant for Robertson’s residence in February, and located drugs, a firearm, and a juvenile who was reportedly under the influence of drugs.

-Anthony Adams, Maumee, has been charged with Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated, following a traffic stop by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office earlier this month. The charge is a felony of the fourth degree, alleging that Adams has been convicted of similar charges three times in the past ten years.

-Melissa Herrig, Woodville, has been indicted on two counts of Theft, both felonies of the fifth degree, after she allegedly stole over $1,000 and a check from a former employer late last year.

-James Bell, whose last known address is Fremont, has been indicted on one count of Illegal Conveyance of Drugs into a Detention Facility, a felony of the third degree, after he allegedly attempted to bring drugs into the Ottawa County Detention Facility last November.

-Richard Adams, Elma, Washington, was charged with misdemeanor OVI, along with felony counts of Obstructing Official Business and Failure to Comply. According to reports of the Oak Harbor Police Department, officers stopped Adams for a traffic violation on February 5, but he then left the scene and led officers on a chase for several miles.

-Gregory Helderman, North Olmsted, Ohio, has been indicted on felony charges of Disrupting Public Services, Inducing Panic, and Obstructing Official Business, along with misdemeanor counts of Reckless Operation and Failure to Stop after an Accident. According to reports of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Helderman was involved in a traffic accident in January, then fled from officers.

-Devon Golden, who is currently being held in the Ottawa County Detention Facility, was indicted on felony charges of Possession of Drugs and Tampering with Evidence, along with a misdemeanor count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. According to reports of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Golden was a passenger in a vehicle during a traffic stop earlier this month, and was found in possession of Methamphetamine, some of which he allegedly consumed in an effort to conceal it from deputies.

-Derrick Berberick, who is currently being held in the Ottawa County Detention Facility, has been indicted on charges of Inducing Panic, Disrupting Public Services, Obstructing Official Business, and Aggravated Menacing, after he reportedly fled from officers of the Danbury Township Police Department during a traffic stop on February 4.

-Benjamin Stetser, Fostoria, has been charged with one felony count of Patient Abuse, after he allegedly struck a resident of a long term care facility in September, 2021.

-Eric Braun, Bellevue, was charged with one count each of Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle and Aggravated Menacing. On February 9, troopers of the Ohio State Highway Patrol found Braun in possession of a loaded firearm, after receiving a complaint that Braun had pointed the gun at another motorist.

-Jayson Zimmerman, whose last known address is Columbus, has been charged with three counts of Criminal Nonsupport, after he allegedly failed to pay court ordered child support for a six year period.

Please note that an indictment is merely a formal charge in the Common Pleas Court, and does not denote guilt or innocence

02/17/2023

RE: CLOSURE OF WILLOW BEND RESORT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On February 15, 2023, the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court ordered the closure of Willow Bend Resort and Campground, located at 5115 E. Bayshore Rd., Port Clinton, Ohio. This closure was ordered as a result of litigation in Ottawa County Common Pleas Case No. 22 CV 005. The docket for this case and all entries can be reviewed at https://www.ottawacocpcourt.com/ and navigating to the “Record Search” tab.

By way of background, the Ottawa County Health Department, by and through counsel, was required to take this extraordinary measure after years of attempting to obtain compliance with both state and local campground regulations. In December of 2020, Willow Bend resort was informed that they had failed to renew their required campground licensure. Additionally, in December of 2020, Willow Bend was informed that the expansion plan that was submitted to the Ohio Department of Health had expired due to inaction by the resort.

In August of 2021 a certified letter was sent to Willow Bend Resort informing them that they were in non-compliance with both the Ottawa County Board of Health and the Ohio Department of Health. This letter received no response.

To date, Willow Bend Resort has not obtained a license to operate a campground for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022. Additionally, to date, Willow Bend has not complied with the Ohio Department of Health requirements for expansion of the campground.

In January of 2022, despite numerous efforts to resolve this matter without litigation, the Ottawa County Board of Heath was forced to pursue litigation. Willow Bend Resort failed to respond in any way to the complaint filed and, as a result, default judgment was granted in May of 2022. This default judgment allowed the Ottawa County Health Department and the Ottawa County Sheriff to close the resort/campground and to barricade the entrances to prohibit operation.

Despite having an order allowing for closure, the Ottawa County Health Department wanted to give the management of the campground one last chance to comply. A motion to stay enforcement of the court order was obtained later in May of 2022. After obtaining the stay, the Ottawa County Health Department reached an agreement with Willow Bend Resort, which provided a very detailed plan of action and set deadlines for achieving compliance with both local and state regulations.

In November of 2022, the Ottawa County Health Department was notified by the Ohio Department of Health that Willow Bend Resort had failed to comply and submit necessary documentation and applications as agreed to by the parties. To date, Willow Bend Resort has still failed to comply.

On November 15, 2022, the Ottawa County Health Board voted to lift the temporary stay due to continued non-compliance. The stay was ordered lifted by the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court on February 15, 2023.

The Ottawa County Health Department and the Ohio Department of Health gave Willow Bend Resort ample opportunity to remedy the numerous issues. Willow Bend Resort has a history of non-compliance dating back to at least 2009.

As a result, Willow Bend Campground is closed and will remain closed until such time as Willow Bend is able to fully comply with all state and local regulations.

Entrances to the property will be barricaded/blocked by the Ottawa County Sheriff and entry into the resort shall be prohibited with the exception of emergency vehicles and persons, vehicles and recreational vehicles who are exiting the resort.

Individuals who have property within the resort will be permitted, by prior arrangement, to enter Willow Bend Resort, but only to remove personal property. Individuals who wish to obtain his/her property are directed to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff at 419.734.4404 to make arrangements.

Individuals who are caught entering the property without permission of the Ottawa County Sheriff will be subject to criminal prosecution and contempt of court.

It is regrettable that matters have concluded in this manner. We understand that this will cause a hardship to the many campers and tourists who frequent this resort. However, every effort was made to remedy this situation short of closure. Willow Bend has a history of non-compliance dating back to 2009.

Individuals with questions can contact the Ottawa County Health Department (419.734.6800), the Ottawa County Prosecutor (419.734.6845), or the Ottawa County Sheriff (419.734.4404).

James VanEerten
Ottawa County Prosecutor

04/26/2022