Dayton Police Sgt. Larry Tolpin said Mitchell repeatedly asked the boy about having sex before the victim’s father became aware of the conversation, intervened, and called police.
Another Dayton parent said she was approached by Mitchell several months ago at the Lohrey Recreation Center where he purported to be a volunteer.
Julie Wells said Mitchell interacted with her sons in a rec room at the center before approaching her and asking if they’d like to join the center’s after-school program.
Mitchell has never been an employee or volunteer at the center according to Joe Parlette, director of Dayton Recreation and Youth Services. He said Mitchell has signed in as a patron and used the computer lab.
“We don’t do background checks on everyone that uses the center,” Parlette said. He said they have the ability to flag an account if someone is convicted of a crime or otherwise barred from Dayton rec centers.
Wells said she thought it was odd when Mitchell started asking questions about her sons’ behavior.
“It’s scary to me,” Wells said. “If he approached me, what other kids has he bothered?”
Mitchell is facing a possible felony charge of importuning. He is being held in the Montgomery County Jail without bond. His initial court appearance scheduled for Thursday was moved to Friday, according to jail records.
On his Facebook page Mitchell says he’s a musician and a youth minister. He lists various dates and times for bible study sessions he is leading at local libraries. The ministry he claims to belong to said they do not have a youth ministry.
About the Author