A Washington Court House man is behind bars after being charged with making child pornography.
Shannon B. Smith, 38, is accused of one count of making child pornography and a sole count of distributing pornography to a minor.
Police say it all stems from a love triangle that occurred between Smith, another local man, and a now-16-year-old girl in August.
The two men were involved in a sexual relationship with the teen, which investigators say started while she was only 15-years-old.
During the consensual sexual experiences, Smith took pictures of the teen having sex with the other 19-year-old man, as well as photos of himself kissing the girl, according to the case file.
In addition, there are pictures of Smith’s private areas that were sent to the girl, police say.
Police interviewed the girl, who admitted to the sexual encounters and showed them the photos. When detectives went to serve a search warrant on the phone belonging to the second man, he told officers he conveniently lost his phone just hours before they arrived.
Smith’s phone was confiscated and taken in as evidence, as well as the girl’s phone. Police say that tattoos in the pictures belong to Smith.
The Guardian is not naming the second man because charges have not been publicly filed for his alleged involvement. However, it’s believed a warrant is out for his arrest.
While the age of consent in Ohio is 16, one still cannot take pictures of anyone under the age of 18 while naked because it is considered child pornography. Likewise for showing anyone under 18-years-old “harmful material,” such as nude pictures.
Smith is locked up on a $50,000 bond.