Ohio Predator Greulich Gets 30 Years for NY Abuse

CLEVELAND, OH – David P. Greulich, 61, of Cleveland, will spend the next three decades behind bars after being sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for a depraved scheme that spanned state lines. U.S. District Judge David A. Ruiz handed down the sentence after Greulich pleaded guilty in March to charges including driving across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, child exploitation, and possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM).

The details are sickening. Court documents reveal that in February 2024, Greulich began communicating with a 14-year-old girl in Jefferson County, New York, via Snapchat. Over several weeks, he groomed her through the app before driving over 400 miles to her home on April 20, 2024. He abducted her, taking her to a hotel where, over two days, he subjected her to violent sexual abuse, recording the horrors on a digital device. Greulich didn’t stop there. He returned to New York on May 11, 2024, for a second encounter with the same victim, again capturing images and videos of the abuse.

Federal investigators executed a search warrant at Greulich’s Cleveland home and uncovered a digital trove of depravity. They seized multiple electronic devices containing CSAM, including a cellphone packed with over 100 images of the victim, both alone and with Greulich. A search of his personal cloud storage account revealed 14 sexually explicit video files of the girl. The evidence painted a clear picture of a calculated predator.

In addition to the 30-year prison sentence, Greulich will be subject to lifetime supervised release upon his eventual release. He’s also been ordered to pay special assessments totaling $35,000, with restitution to be determined at a later date. The financial penalties, however, are a small measure of justice compared to the trauma inflicted upon the victim.

The investigation, led by Homeland Security Investigations Cleveland Office, was a collaborative effort. The Jefferson County (New York) Sheriff’s Office, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force all played crucial roles in bringing Greulich to justice. Assistant United States Attorneys Margaret A. Kane and Segev Phillips prosecuted the case.

If you suspect child exploitation, do not hesitate to report it. You can submit tips to CyberTipline.org or call 1-800-843-5678, available 24/7. Every report matters. This predator is off the streets, but countless others remain. Vigilance is key to protecting vulnerable children.