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First year faces charges for child pornography, sexually assaulting a minor

<p>New Title IX regulations are coming to strengthen the rights of those accused. </p>

Devon Marion, a first-year at Miami University has been charged with three counts of creating or distributing child pornography and four counts of unlawful sexual contact with a minor under the Butler County Circuit Courts.

A charge for creation or distribution of child pornography is classified as a second degree felony. In Ohio, this charge is punishable by a maximum of eight years in prison, a maximum fine of $15,000 and registration as a Tier II sex offender, which requires registering as a sex offender twice a year for 25 years.

Under Ohio law, the charge of unlawful sexual contact with a minor is described as “a person who is 18 or older who knowingly or recklessly engaged in sexual contact with another person who is at least 13 years old but less than 16 years old.”

This is classified as a fourth degree felony, which is punishable by six to 18 months in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000.

Marion was also charged with failure to comply with a police officer, a third degree felony, and obstruction of justice, a fifth degree felony.

The charges were presented last Wednesday, Oct. 23, and an initial court hearing has been set for this Thursday, Oct. 31. Marion was released on a $25,000 bond.

Marion could not be reached for comment.

County prosecutors declined to comment on the case.

@NewellMaggie

angevims@miamioh.edu

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