DAYTON — A Darke County sex offender pleaded guilty Thursday to child pornography charges in U.S. District Court.
[ >> Live Doppler 7 Radar | INTERACTIVE ]
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.
[ >> WHAT TO EXPECT: Accumulating snow, ice on the way with weekend winter storm ]
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.
[ >> Winter Storm Warning expanded to include entire region; several inches of snow expected ]
A judge will consider the recommendation at Rapier’s sentencing, which has not been scheduled.
Got a tip? Call our monitored 24-hour line, 937-259-2237, or send it to newsdesk@cmgohio.com