Tutor, substitute teacher guilty in child porn case

A local tutor for disadvantaged children who often served as a substitute teacher and volunteer in many local school districts, pleaded guilty to child pornography charges.

Justin Cohen, 31, of Vandalia, was found guilty Thursday on nine counts of pandering sexually oriented material by Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Dennis Adkins.

County prosecutors said Justin Cohen sent sexually explicit photographs of a minor to a Troy police detective over the internet in May of last year. Detectives executed a search warrant on Cohen's home and discovered more child pornography.

According to the prosecutor's office, Cohen possesses teaching certificates in Ohio and Texas, and offers free tutoring to disadvantaged children through his company, Reach Your Potential.

Cohen was the former owner of Quest for Success Learning Center in Dayton. He also was a substitute teacher and tutor at several Miami Valley area schools. Prosecutors said Cohen was also a volunteer at Dayton Public Schools.

Sentencing is set for March 12.

About the Author