Ohio Man Arrested for Sexual Contact with Minors

Cleaveland -- July 30, 2021 FBI NEWS : Cleveland Special Agent Vicki Anderson-Gregg (216) 522-1400

Ohio Man Arrested for Sexual Contact with Minors

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Toledo Resident Agency’s Northwest Ohio Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Northern District of Ohio United States Attorney’s Office, announce the arrest of John Charles Coy, 71 years old, of Van Wert County, Ohio.

The complaint alleges an initial tip was received in November 2020 by Marion Police Department that alleged John Charles Coy had engaged in sexual contact with minors and had produced child sexual abuse material. An investigation was initiated by the Marion Police Department who requested assistance from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Division, Toledo Resident Agency.

Through the course of this investigation, additional information concerning Coy’s alleged conduct with juvenile females was received by law enforcement. The information received involved allegations of Coy taking sexual photos of juvenile females and engaging in sexual conduct with juvenile females.

Over the course of the last eight months, numerous state search warrants and subpoenas were issued on social media, cell phone service providers, and digital storage providers identified as being accounts of John Charles Coy, including an account most recently used by Coy, “Coyjohn010@gmail.com. Multiple images of what is believed to be prepubescent females were obtained.

On Thursday, July 29, 2021, a search warrant was executed at Coy’s son’s home where Coy was known to be residing. Coy was interviewed by law enforcement investigators during the execution of the search warrant and denied any allegations made against him.

The investigation and interview of Coy resulted in a probable cause arrest for receipt and/or distribution of child pornography, 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(2). Coy was taken into custody without incident at the conclusion of the search warrant. Coy will appear in front of United States Magistrate Judge Darrell A. Clay today, July 30, 2021, at 4:00 p.m.

Law enforcement is encouraging anyone that has a child that has interacted with John Charles Coy and they feel any of those interactions could have been sexually inappropriate or was an attempt to “groom” a minor for future sexual interactions to please contact the FBI at 1-877-FBI-OHIO. (1-877-324-6446). Coy is known to have coached juvenile female softball teams over the past years in Marion County and Van Wert County, Ohio. Coy is also known to have traveled as a truck driver in the region and is also known to have traveled on several occasions to the Philippines.

The FBI wishes to commend the Ohio Bureau of Identification and Investigation, the Marion Police Department, and the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office for their cooperation and continued assistance in this investigation.

Law enforcement considers this an ongoing investigation and information outside of the federal complaint affidavit cannot be provided.

Any questions regarding this press release can be directed to SA Vicki Anderson at 216-522-1400 or at vagregg@fbi.gov.