Authorities arrested a convicted sex offender and his cousin after the pair allegedly held down a toddler girl while the convict made child pornography of the little girl, with plans to sell it.
WXIX reports that cousins, Cousins Ciera Richter, 25, and Jason Fletcher, 40, are both up against federal charges. According to Cincinnati authorities, Fletcher’s probation officer located child pornography on his cellphone. The probation officer reportedly searched further on Fletcher’s phone and found an entire library of child porn photos and videos.
Some of the videos found on the phone allegedly included the suspect engaged in sexual acts with a 2-year-old little girl. According to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office, Richter held the toddler down and positioned her in an explicit manner her while Fletcher recorded the incident. While Fletcher reportedly molested the child, Ritcher made “coo” sounds, trying to soothe the toddler. The indictment against the suspect indicates that Fletcher had plans to sell the videos for a profit.
“The indictment alleges that Richter provided the toddler to Fletcher with the knowledge that as a consequence of the transfer, the two-year-old would be portrayed in child pornography,” U.S. Attorney Benjamin Glassman said.
Fletcher was on probation for previous crimes involving pedophilia and young children. He was previously convicted of “importuning a minor” and other related charges. Part of probation guidelines required him to never possess any type of pornography. Ritcher also faces a felony charge of “selling a child.”
Both suspects are facing several charges, including production of child pornography and conspiracy to produce child pornography. Since Fletcher had previous convictions, he faces 35 years to life in prison if found guilty. Ritcher faces 30 years to life behind bars.
“If we can protect children against this kind of exploitation, we absolutely have a duty to do it. And I hope that when we bring cases like this, it will protect other children of being abused in the future,” Glassman said.
Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
[Feature Photo: Ciera Ritcher and Jason Fletcher/Butler County Sheriff’s Office]
