SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Springfield Township police and the FBI are investigating a suspected child predator who allegedly posed as a teenage girl to commit sex crimes.
After an allegation of a sex crime against a 12-year-old girl surfaced last month, Leroy Dinger, 34, of Canton, was charged with gross sexual imposition and pandering obscenity involving a minor.
He's being held in the Summit County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
Springfield Township Sgt. Eric East said as the investigation continued, police discovered Dinger had multiple social media accounts and he often posed as a 16-year-old girl in order to solicit children for nude photos.
Dinger was also known to frequent Springfield Lake Roller Rink in Lakemore, according to police.
"Although we consider the rink a safe environment and know of no reported incidents, this guy's predatory behavior has us considering that there may have been some attempted contact with children," East said.
Dinger has also been linked with accessing or downloading numerous images and videos of child pornography, according to police.
FBI spokeswoman Vicki Anderson confirmed Dinger is a under a federal probe and the agency is assisting Springfield Township police.
"There are federal charges that are possibly coming his way. It's an on-going investigation," Anderson said. "Our kids are our most vulnerable and wonderful resource and we need to protect them."
Other possible victims who may have come into contact with the suspect are asked to call Springfield Township Detective Jason Moore at 330-784-1609.
