MOUNT GILEAD, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—A Morrow County Grand Jury returned a 41-count indictment on Thursday against Dalton Edwards, of Cardington, following an investigation by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.
The indictment includes 13 counts of Pandering Sexually Oriented Materials Involving Minors, felonies of the second degree; 26 counts of Pandering Sexually Oriented Materials Involving Minors, felonies of the fourth degree; 1 count of Illegal Use of Minor in Nudity Oriented Material, a felony of the second degree; and 1 count of Illegal Use of Minor in Nudity Oriented Material, a felony of the fourth degree.
Authorities issued a warrant for Edwards’ arrest, and he was taken into custody after the indictment was returned. The ongoing investigation currently suggests that Edwards acted alone locally.
During the investigation, authorities located non-nude photographs of unidentified students from Cardington, Mount Gilead, and Northmor schools on Edwards’ phone. At this time, there is no indication of any physical involvement with students. The investigation remains active, and anyone with information regarding potential inappropriate contact with Edwards is urged to contact Det. Sgt. Joshua Clarke of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office at (740) 833-2894.
The Morrow County Prosecutor’s Office emphasized that, as with all indictments, Edwards is presumed innocent until proven guilty in the Morrow County Court of Common Pleas. The Prosecutor’s Office also requested that the public respect the privacy of Edwards’ family, as they are not suspected of any wrongdoing.
A date for Edwards’ arraignment has not yet been set.