A Perrysburg man has pleaded guilty to nine counts of pandering and faces nearly 67 years in prison.
Dustan Gerschutz, 36, was transferred from jail Thursday to the courtroom of Wood County Common Pleas Judge Joel Kuhlman.
He entered pleas of guilty to eight counts of pandering, all second-degree felonies; one court of fourth-degree pandering; and possessing criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony.
Gerschutz was indicted in March 2023.
According to court documents, eight times from July-November 2022, Gerschutz created, recorded, photographed or published material that showed a minor participating or engaging in sexual activity.
In February 2023, he bought or procured obscene material that had a minor as one of its participants.
Defense attorney Sara Roller said the facts were sufficient for a jury to find her client guilty of the charges.
Three counts of pandering, which allegedly occurred in 2021, were dismissed.
In September 2023, he entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. In February, he was declared competent to stand trial and able to assist in his own defense.
He rejected an undisclosed plea offer in August.
Kuhlman said sentencing for the F2 pandering charges was two-eight years.
The F4 pandering had a possible sentence of six-18 months and the criminal tools charge had the potential for six-12 months.
He said, if imposed consecutively, the longest minimum sentence was 66.5 years, and the longest maximum was 70.5 years due to the offenses meeting Reagan Tokes Act qualifications.
As prison is not mandatory, he could sentence Gerschutz to up to five years of community control Kuhlman said.
Co-defendant Raymond F. Carter, 35, formerly of Perrysburg, was sentenced in July to 20 years in prison.
Co-defendant Raymond F. Carter, 35, formerly of Perrysburg, was sentenced in July to 20 years in prison. He has filed an appeal.
Wood County Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Pamela Gross said Thursday she was asking for a sentence in the range of 15-25 years for Gerschutz.
If a prison sentence is imposed, upon his release, he will be required to register as a Tier II sex offender, which will require him to register with the authorities every 180 days for a minimum of 25 years.
Sentencing was set for Oct. 31.
