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PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSYX) — A series of child exploitation investigations in Pike County has resulted in multiple arrests, indictments, and lengthy prison sentences over the past several months, according to a joint announcement from Ohio Attorney General David Yost and several local law enforcement leaders.
Described in the press release as “a unified and aggressive response from local, state, and federal agencies,” the operations targeted both the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and attempts to exploit children online.
In late summer 2024, a joint investigation led to the arrest of Sean Spellman, who was charged with distributing and possessing CSAM, including material involving infants. He was sentenced to 16–20 years in prison.
In fall 2024, multiple online sting operations resulted in the arrests and convictions of Michael Waugh, Larry Zehm, Carl Loper, and Brad Peters. Each was charged with “attempting to engage in or purchase sex from minors” and later prosecuted and sentenced in Pike County.
On April 16, 2025, Kyle Rhoades was sentenced to 16–20 years in prison after a joint investigation uncovered his possession of CSAM.
In spring 2025, Byron Myers and Joseph Keeney were indicted for allegedly attempting to solicit sex from a minor.
A separate investigation involved Joseph Heflin of Marble Falls, Texas, who traveled to Pike County with the intention of meeting a child and taking her out of state. The case has drawn interest from both the FBI and law enforcement in Texas.
Another case uncovered an attempted production of CSAM involving children as young as 10. Clayton Huber Pender, of Twiggs County, Georgia—who was already on parole for child molestation—was arrested on July 3, 2025 following a joint effort between Pike County investigators and the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office. Pender is currently incarcerated in Georgia, has been indicted by a Pike County Grand Jury, and faces felony warrants in Ohio. According to the release, “no children were physically harmed in this case.”
Law enforcement leaders involved in the announcement include officials from the Scioto and Pike County Sheriff’s Offices, the Portsmouth and New Boston Police Departments, and the offices of the Scioto and Pike County prosecuting attorneys.
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