COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Washington County man was arrested by federal authorities on charges that he produced and distributed child pornography.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office released a statement saying, “James A. Sabolick, 56, Lower Salem, appeared in federal court in Columbus this afternoon.
According to court documents, Marietta police officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that Sabolick was driving on July 24, 2021. It is alleged that Sabolick was attempting to conceal a person in his vehicle during that traffic stop when he initially indicated to law enforcement that he was alone. Officers then discovered a minor in the back seat of Sabolick’s vehicle.
An affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint details that Sabolick allegedly drove the minor from West Virginia to a cabin near his residence in Washington County, Ohio, for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct.
Further investigation conducted by the Southeastern Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office alleges Sabolick engaged in various sex acts with the minor. Those included acts involving abuse such as needle pokes, lighter burns, restraints, strangulation, and urination. Items recovered from Sabolick’s hunting cabin and vehicle included pantyhose, lubricant, and a box of t-pins.
It is also alleged that during the course of these sex acts and acts of abuse, the defendant photographed the minor victim. Agents allegedly discovered images of child pornography depicting the minor victim on Sabolick’s cell phone. In addition, numerous images of child exploitation material were also recovered when conducting federal search warrants and forensic analysis on his electronic device.
Sabolick is charged in the federal criminal complaint with traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct (punishable by up to 30 years in prison), producing child pornography (which carries a sentencing range of 15 to 30 years in prison), and possessing child pornography (a federal crime punishable up to 10 years in prison).”