Man faces 20 counts of felony rape in child porn case

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By Nancy Bowman, Contributing Writer Updated 10:29 PM Wednesday, February 1, 2012

TROY – A Tipp City man arrested in December on charges accusing him of possessing computer child pornography has been indicted on 25 felony charges that include 20 counts of rape.

The indictment against Joel Pratt, 34, was issued by a Miami County grand jury last week. Pratt has been in the county jail on $165,000 bail since his Dec. 22 arrest by sheriff’s detectives on charges of pandering sexually oriented materials and pandering obscenities involving minors.

Detectives seized Pratt’s computer in December based on a tip from the FBI that he may be in possession of child pornography.

Miami County sheriff’s Detective Dominic Burnside told WHIO-TV the search revealed thousands of photos. Detectives were able to identify one of the subjects in the photos as a local child under the age of 13.

The indictment charges Pratt with engaging in sexual conduct with a person under age 13 between Sept. 14, 2010, and Sept. 4, 2011.

Tony Kendell, chief assistant prosecutor, said he could not discuss the specifics of the allegations but confirmed that the 20 counts involve one victim.

Burnside said the sexual conduct could have been going on since 2007. Officials don’t know if there are additional victims.

Pratt also faces three felony counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor and two counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor. Those charges stem from actions alleged to have occurred between Oct. 18 and Dec. 21, 2011.

Deputies said two children in Pratt’s home at the time of his arrest, both related to him, have been placed with friends or relatives.

He is to be arraigned on the indictment Feb. 6 in county Common Pleas Court.

Pratt is not a registered sex offender, but he was convicted of possession of child pornography while in the military in 2004.

WHIO-TV reporter Jill Del Greco contributed to this story.

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