Youngstown Man Charged with Child Exploitation

Stephen Fleischer, 29, of Youngstown, has been charged with some of the most heinous crimes imaginable: sexual exploitation of a child, transferring obscenity to a minor, and transportation of a minor. The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Steven M. Dettelbach, made the announcement last week.

According to the indictment, Fleischer attempted to persuade, induce, entice and coerce a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexually explicit conduct between April 1, 2014, and May 30, 2014. He allegedly used the internet to produce a visual depiction of this conduct, knowing it would be transported across state lines.

The indictment also charges Fleischer with using a device connected to the internet to transfer obscene matter to a 14-year-old girl on or about April 1, 2014, through May 30, 2014. This included sending her a visual depiction of his erect penis.

On three separate occasions between May 1, 2014, and July 26, 2014, Fleischer is accused of transporting a 14-year-old girl from Pennsylvania to Ohio, intending for her to engage in sexual activity that could lead to criminal charges.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan. The Youngstown office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Austintown Police Department investigated the crime.

Fleischer’s case is a stark reminder that child exploitation is a serious crime that carries severe penalties. If convicted, his sentence will be determined by the court, taking into account factors such as his prior record, role in the offense, and the unique characteristics of the crime. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

An indictment is only a charge, and it is not evidence of guilt. Fleischer is entitled to a fair trial, where the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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