North Ridgeville man charged after four-month child porn investigation

NORTH RIDGEVILLE — A four-month investigation into a 34-year-old North Ridgeville man suspected of downloading and sharing files containing pornographic images of children has led to charges.

Michael J. Lindegarde, 34, is charged with one count of felony pandering obscenity involving a minor, and one count of felony possession of criminal tools, according to police Capt. Marti Garrow.

The possession of criminal tools charge relates to the computers and one or more cell phones seized by police executing a search warrant March 25 at the man’s residence along with members of the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Personnel from the OICAC task force will examine the computers and other devices to determine whether they contain additional pornographic images or other content related to juveniles under age 18.

“We don’t know what materials are on those hard drives,” Garrow said.

Although he declined to detail how police came to investigate Lindegarde, Garrow said the suspect came to detectives’ attention as they were conducting an online investigation into the illegal sharing of computer files related to child pornography.

“We were able to monitor and notice his participation in sharing known child pornography files,” Garrow said.

Police began to focus on Lindegarde after tracing an IP address to his home.

Many of the files in question contain videos of underage children that contain nudity, according to Garrow.

Lindegarde admitted to police during the search that he downloaded the files, Garrow said.

Lindegarde was arraigned March 28 in Elyria Municipal Court where he did not enter a plea before Judge Lisa A. Locke Graves. He was held for a day in the county jail before being released on $20,000 bond.

Conditions of his bond stipulate that Lindegarde is to have no contact with any child under the age of 18, and may not own or use a computer.

Elyria Municipal Judge Gary Bennett amended the bond order to bar the use of any electronic device capable of allowing Lindegarde “to visit sites on the Internet.” He also must wear a tracking device if he leaves Lorain County.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled April 26.

Garrow said authorities expect the case to be referred to a county grand jury for consideration of additional charges once the investigation is complete.

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