COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Norwich Township firefighter who was arrested on a child sexual abuse material charge has resigned, according to the fire department.
Caden Woodward, 22, was arrested two weeks ago and charged with illegal use of minors in nudity-oriented material. Norwich Township Fire Chief David Baird said Woodward was immediately placed on administrative leave with pay following his arrest.
His resignation from the Norwich Township Fire Department was effective immediately last Friday. He had been an employee with the fire department since Oct. 10, 2022.
According to Franklin County Municipal Court documents, a Hilliard police detective received a tip about a CashApp account receiving money for sexually explicit material in November 2022. The account was being run by a 17-year-old girl.
One of the accounts suspected of purchasing material was Woodward, records say. The display name for the account was shown as "Woody" with a Hilliard address.
Authorities issued a subpoena to Block Inc., the parent company of CashApp, and the company identified the account holder as "Caden Woodward." The social security number and date of birth with the account were a match to the person living at the Hilliard address.
On Oct. 10, Hilliard detectives reviewed chat logs between Woodward and the juvenile. There were nine sexually explicit photos of the teenage girl and the log shows Woodward responding to her about the photos he received. The log also shows Woodward allegedly inquiring about a "secret menu."
The prosecutor's office is reviewing the case for possible indictment.