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18-Year-Old Accused Of Having Sex With Minor, Sending Video To High School, Middle School Students
Jeremiah Horton faces two counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and police say he may have more underage victims.
An 18-year-old man was arrested after video circulated among Ohio students allegedly showing him having sex with a 14-year-old girl.
Jeremiah Horton was charged with two counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor after allegedly recording the sexual encounter and sending it to several students at North College Hill High School and Middle School.
The girl said she wasn't aware she was being recorded, police say.
Three additional unnamed juveniles were also arrested for sharing the video with several other students, police say. It's unclear how many students saw the footage.
After the alleged crime had been reported, another student came forward to say she was a victim of Horton's, according to authorities, who say there may be as many as 21 other victims. Police believe the other girls were also not aware they'd been recorded.
Horton claims he didn't share the video, but police say a search of his phone contradicts that.
Officer Lauren Shepherd said that law enforcement became aware of the situation on Oct. 24, when a mother presented video of her 14-year-old daughter having sex with Horton to police, according to Cincinnati.com.
"They all appear to be very young," Shepherd said of the other alleged videos.
Dr. Stuart Bassman, a psychologist, discussed the trauma the victims may potentially face.
"Imagine the depth of violation that these girls are experiencing. Imagine the depth of despair and loneliness, that they are questioning themselves and their ability to love, their ability, in a sense, to trust again," Bassman said to WLWT5, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based NBC affiliate. "There is a sense [that] these unfortunate girls have been not only sexually violated, but their humiliation is made public for the pleasure of others."
Bassman advised the students to seek mental health treatment.
"Now they feel defenseless, now they feel so vulnerable to being exploited, abused by others. They need to develop emotional muscle, and that's where the therapy comes in," he said.
Horton potentially faces additional charges. If convicted on just the charges he currently faces, he faces eight years in prison and fines of up to $15,000.
Anyone with more information on the alleged crime is being urged to call North College Hill Police Department at 513-521-7171.
[Photo: North College Hill Police]
