Operation Safe Harbor leads to arrest of eight individuals for online child solicitation

The Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children, in partnership with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office and the Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office, conducted Operation Safe Harbor - an extensive undercover investigation targeting individuals engaged in the online solicitation of minors.

Throughout the four-day operation from June 19-22, law enforcement officers posed as children between the ages of 12 and 15 on various online platforms. Suspects who initiated contact and expressed intent to engage in sexual activity traveled to pre-arranged locations believing they were meeting a minor. Some individuals also offered monetary compensation in exchange for sexual conduct.

Operation Safe Harbor was launched as part of an ongoing commitment to combat child exploitation and safeguard children in our communities. This operation underscores the proactive and collaborative approach law enforcement is taking to address a growing threat in the digital age.

The success of Operation Safe Harbor was made possible by the coordinated efforts of multiple local, state, and federal justice system partners.

Participating agencies included Ohio ICAC, Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office/Major Crimes Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, Tiffin Police Department, Sandusky County Drug Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Port Clinton Police Department, Oak Harbor Police Department, City of Perrysburg Police Department, Defiance Police Department, Danbury Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals.

Over the course of the four-day operation, the following individuals were arrested:

• Robert Neuenschwander, 75, of Delta, Ohio was charged with two counts of Importuning, two counts of Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and two counts of Possession of Criminal Tools.
• Luis Romero Perez, 29, of Toledo, Ohio was charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and Possession of Criminal Tools.
• Noelan Winston, 23 of Huron, Ohio was charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Possession of Criminal Tools, and Attempted Complicity to Sexual Battery.
• Stephen Walterbach, 43, of Marblehead, Ohio was charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and Possession of Criminal Tools.
• Keith Geyer, 46, of North Royalton, Ohio was charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Compelling Prostitution, and Possession of Criminal Tools.
• Ryan Thomas, 40, of Swanton, Ohio was charged with Importuning and Possession of Criminal Tools.
• Larry Clark Wymer, 35, of Whitehouse, Ohio was charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Possession of Criminal Tools, and Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles. Mr. Wymer is a Tier II registered sex offender having previously being convicted in 2013 in Lucas County of Gross Sexual Imposition involving a minor.
• Adam Smith, 38, of Oregon, Ohio was charged with Importuning, Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and Possession of Criminal Tools.

Numerous other suspects have been identified and investigators will continue to follow up on those leads.

"Online exploitation of children is a serious and evolving threat," said James VanEerten, Ottawa County Prosecutor. "We are committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who seek to harm children in our communities."

Further details may be limited pending ongoing investigations. Additional charges may be filed at the conclusion of the investigation.