La Rue Man Pleads Guilty to Four Felony Counts Involving Child Sexual Abuse Material

According to a release from Ray Grogan Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, Phillip William Vanscoy of La Rue pleaded guilty to four felony counts of Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance.

“Working with our law enforcement partners in the office of Sheriff Matt Bayles Marion County Sheriff’s Office Marion,OH we gathered evidence that Vanscoy was collecting this vile material depicting children in sex acts,” Prosecuting Attorney Grogan said. “Our case was strong and Vanscoy agreed to plead guilty and admitted his crimes in open court.”

The case started with a cyber tip from the The Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a national network of 61 coordinated task forces representing more than 5,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. ICAC constantly monitors the internet and even encrypted online communications for videos and images that portray children involved in sexual activity or being sexually abused. Detectives from Bayles’ office linked the ICAC cyber tip to Vanscoy’s phone.

Vanscoy, aged 32, is married and has three young children.

“Using children for sexual gratification is among the most despicable acts imaginable,” Grogan continued. “Our work here will undoubtedly send this man to prison and, when he eventually gets out, he’ll be a registered sex offender for 25 years.”

Grogan also thanked Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mark R. Weaver for leading the prosecution and detectives Katie Barber and Christy Utley for their work on this investigation.

The final sentence will be handed down by Common Pleas Court Judge Todd Anderson at an upcoming sentencing hearing.