Two Columbus men accused of exchanging sexual images of a minor from seven miles apart

Yahoo

10-05-2025

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Two men have been arrested, including one this week, in connection to sending sexually explicit material to each other, with one of the suspects posing as a 13-year-old boy.
According to court documents, detectives with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant in February at a home on South Waverly Street in Eastmoor. Arrested was Richard Campbell, who was charged with two felony counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, one each in the second degree and fourth degree.
Detectives seized Campbell's electronic devices, specifically an Android Galaxy Z Flip 4 phone. Investigators discovered a conversation Campbell had with a man later identified as Tyler Congrove. In this alleged conversation, Campbell reportedly posed as a 13-year-old boy named 'Grayson'.
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Court records said that Congrove sent selfie-style pictures, including nude photographs to who he believed was the 13-year-old. Campbell then sent Congrove nude photos of a minor in front of a mirror exposing himself.
Congrove reportedly then sent his photo to Campbell, who was also portraying himself as the father of 'Grayson'.
Authorities were able to trace the selfie photo back to Congrove, who was arrested Wednesday at an apartment on Belle Street in Downtown, Columbus, approximately seven miles west of Campbell's location. Detective confirmed that the conversation and photos exchanged between the two men were found on Congrove's phone.
A Franklin County Municipal Court judge issued Congrove a $75,000 bond and scheduled a preliminary hearing for May 16. Campbell's case was dismissed in municipal court in March, but could still be prosecuted in common pleas court.
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