Carter
A Perrysburg man has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of pandering.
Raymond Carter, 34, was transported from the Hancock County Jail Thursday to the courtroom of Wood County Common Pleas Judge Joel Kuhlman.
Carter and his co-defendant, Dustan J. Gerschutz, 35, were indicted in March for 11 counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor or impaired person, all second-degree felonies; pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, a fourth-degree felony; and possessing criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony.
Eleven times from June 19, 2021, to Dec. 12, they allegedly created, recorded, reproduced or published material that showed a minor participating or engaging in sexual activity, masturbation or bestiality.
On Feb. 2, they are accused of buying, procuring or controlling obscene material that had a minor as one of its participants.
All electronic equipment and electronic storage devices have been removed from their home. Circumstances indicate the devices were used in the alleged offenses.
Kuhlman said he could impose a prison sentence of two-eight years for each pandering charge, and they could be served consecutively for a minimum total of 22 years.
If convicted, Carter will have to register as a Tier II sex offender, which will require him to re-register every 180 days for 25 years.
Defense attorney Scott Coon entered pleas of not guilty on behalf of his client.
Kuhlman set bond at $250,000. The next pretrial is May 25.
According to Hancock County Common Pleas Court documents, Carter was indicted in March for two counts rape, one count pandering sexual oriented material involving a minor. and three counts illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material. The victim in all of the alleged offenses was less than 10 years old.
Carter’s bond in Hancock County is $500,000.
Gerschutz appeared before Kuhlman on Feb. 9, at which time bond also was set at $250,000.
Since then, defense attorney Sara Roller has requested a competency evaluation for her client and entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Gerschutz remains in jail.
