Ohio man accused of grooming, molesting neighborhood children
By Karin Johnson
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LEBANON, Ohio (WLWT) — A Warren County man is facing 12 felony charges after prosecutors say he groomed and sexually abused multiple elementary school boys over several years in a Lebanon neighborhood.
Investigators arrested 56-year-old Michael Waldron during a traffic stop while he was on the phone with his attorney last week.
According to the indictment, Waldron is charged with gross sexual imposition, importuning, public indecency and grooming-related offenses.
David Fornshell, the prosecutor in Warren County, said investigators have identified at least six alleged victims, some of whom were in the fourth and fifth grade.
“We know that there were at least six boys who were victimized by this man, so if you’re asking me, could there potentially be more victims out there? Absolutely,” Fornshell said.
Prosecutors say the alleged crimes happened over a four-year period beginning in 2021, when Waldron lived in a Lebanon neighborhood and developed relationships with children who lived nearby.
Investigators say Waldron offered trips to Kings Island, ice cream, money and attention as part of what prosecutors describe as a grooming pattern.
“Most of the conduct occurred at his house, but there was some of the conduct that occurred in his vehicle as well. So, just a really sick individual to target this group of mostly neighborhood boys, befriend them and begin the grooming process with them,” Fornshell said.
Authorities say some parents became concerned and warned Waldron to stay away from their children, but investigators believe he continued communicating with some of the boys, including through group chats.
Waldron’s attorney, J. Tanner Duncan, released a statement saying:
“While we understand the serious nature of the allegations, Mr. Waldron remains innocent until proven guilty and looks forward to his day in court.”
Court records show Waldron’s bond was set at $100,000 cash. He posted bond and has been released from jail under GPS monitoring.
Records also show he no longer lives in the Lebanon neighborhood where the alleged crimes took place and is now living in Mason.
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