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Grandview attorney pleads guilty to possessing child sexual abuse images

According to the federal indictment, Chinn uploaded child sex abuse images online that depicted young children engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Credit: Franklin County Jail

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Grandview Heights attorney pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges including receiving and possessing child sex abuse images, according to U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker.

The plea agreement for 40-year-old Stephen Chinn includes a recommended sentence of five to nine years in prison. 

RELATED: Grandview attorney indicted on federal charges of possessing child sexual abuse images

According to the federal indictment, Chinn uploaded child sex abuse images online that depicted young children engaging in sexually explicit conduct, including sex acts with adults and animals.

These uploads were flagged by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Investigators executed a search warrant in August 2023 at Chinn’s home in Grandview, where they found a desktop computer with more than 4,000 child sexual abuse images.

Forensic data revealed that much of the content was downloaded from a Russian social media site, according to Parker’s office.

At the time, he was a public defender in Franklin County.

Chinn was initially arrested and charged with pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and pandering obscenity. He was released on bond in that matter.

He was then charged federally in September 2023 and charged with receiving and possessing child sex abuse images.

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