Child porn charge shocks small town

QUINCY, Ohio (WDTN) - Chrysta Crabtree lives next door Mickell Close in Quincy.

She says the 31-year-old was always working on houses in the neighborhood off of CR-255 as a handyman.

Close is accused of secretly videotaping and taking photos of three children in a bathroom,  then trading those images for other child pornography, according to investigators with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

So, when he was charged with child pornography production, Crabtree was immediately worried about her 11-year-old daughter.

"I have a little girl and, you know, she lives here too and you think, could he have gotten pictures of her?" asks Crabtree.

The Logan County Sheriff's Department tells us that Close was registered as a sexual predator about 8 years ago.

Crabtree tells me neighbors were notified when he moved in and she talked with her daughter about it then.

"Before he had moved in, we let her rride her bike up and down the lane.  You know, and then once he had moved in, we put a stop to that.  You know, I didn't want to take any chances whatsoever.  We didn't keep it from her, so I wanted her to be on her toes and know what to look for, you know, just be aware," says Crabtree.

But she's not the only parent worried about her child's safety.  Jenny LeClair is too.

"It makes me sick to my stomach.  It really does.  It's sad because they're innocent.  They can't really speak up for themselves," comments Jenny LeClair.

If convicted Close could face up to 30 years in prison.

His arrest is apart of Operation Sunflower which is an international effort aimed at rescuing victims and targeting individuals who own, trade or produce images of child pornography.  

During the investigation, which took place from November first to December 7th, a total of 245 people were arrested and 123 victims were identified.  

"The results were significant but grim, a sad reminder to us all that online child exploitation is a real part of our lives and demands, absolutely demands, our full attention as a nation," explains John Morton with ICE.

As part of this investigation, federal officials are also asking for your help to find a man and woman.

The photo of the unknown woman labeled Jane Doe was taken 11 year s ago.

Officials say they found images of her and another man molesting a young teen girl.

The man was found in a series of images abusing a boy in 2006.

While the suspects need brought to justice, the victims may also still need. help.

"And really the public is a critical element into these investigations and that's why we're urging as part of this operation to take a look at these individuals who are still at large and provide any information they may have about them," said Khaalid Walls, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

If you know who they are, contact federal officials at 866-347-2423.