Convicted sex offender pleads guilty to child porn charges

DAYTON — A Darke County sex offender pleaded guilty Thursday to child pornography charges in U.S. District Court.

James Rapier, 41, of Rossburg, pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child pornography and one count of committing a felony involving a minor while registered as a sex offender, according to the Department of Justice Southern District of Ohio.

In 2000, Rapier was convicted of gross sexual imposition and corruption of a minor in Darke County.

He also was convicted of pandering obscenity involving a minor in 2005 in Darke County. Rapier was classified as a habitual sex offender in 2005, according to the DOJ.

In February, Rapier coerced a 13-year-old girl to send him sexually explicit photos, according to a statement of facts.

He also reportedly coerced a 15-year-old girl to do the same thing in December 2017.

A sentence of 35 years has been agreed upon by the parties involved in the case, according to the DOJ.

A judge will consider the recommendation at Rapier’s sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

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