Stow Man Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Charges

A Stow man whom police investigators said had one of the largest child pornography collections ever uncovered in Ohio has pleaded guilty to multiple related charges.

Thomas E. Williams, 74, of 3038 Stockbridge Drive, pleaded guilty July 29 to one count of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, a second-degree felony, and one count of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, a fifth-degree felony.

Williams was arrested by Tallmadge Police after getting a tip from the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children task force.

Williams’ guilty plea came as part of a plea deal in which prosecutors dropped a charge of illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material or performance.

He originally pleaded not guilty to the charges May 1 before Summit County Common Pleas Judge Alison McCarty after being indicted by the Summit County grand jury.

Tallmadge Police Lt. Ron Williams said investigators found an extensive collection of child pornography at Thomas Williams’ home.

“The investigators said it was one of the largest collections of child pornography that they had seen,” he said.

Sentencing for Thomas Williams on the pandering charges is scheduled for Aug. 29 at 1 p.m. in McCarty’s courtroom.