Former Ohio police officer indicted on child sexual abuse material charges

WALBRIDGE, Ohio — A former Walbridge police officer who allegedly admitted to “exchanging nude images with a juvenile female” was indicted on four counts, including three felonies, Wednesday, according to Ottawa County court records. 

Documents show Austin Sabo, 23, was indicted on one fifth-degree felony count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a fifth degree felony, and a first-degree misdemeanor charge of the same. The indictment alleges Sabo “did recklessly sell, deliver, furnish, disseminate, provide, exhibit, rent or present” a 17-year-old juvenile with “material or performance that is obscene”. 

He was also indicted on a second degree felony of illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance, which alleges in court documents that Sabo “did create, direct, produce, or transfer material or performance” involving a minor in a state of nudity. 

Sabo was arrested on Nov. 27 during a search warrant at his Oak Harbor home, according to a press release from the Ottawa County Major Crimes Unit. 

His employment with Walbridge police was terminated on Wednesday, according to Mayor Ed Kolanko.

Kolanko confirmed to WTOL 11 that he was recently hired by the department as a part-time patrol officer and was on a probationary period.

The search warrant, which the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and the Oak Harbor and Elmore police departments also assisted in, was part of a still-pending investigation into “ongoing child sexual abuse material” and “involves” Sabo, according to the major crimes unit.

A K-9 with the major crimes unit located “several electronic devices that are of evidentiary value” during the search. The press release does not say exactly how many devices were located or what kind of content is on them.

A hearing date for Sabo has not been scheduled in Ottawa County court yet.