He posted ads online offering childcare, now he’s charged with possession and transportation of child pornography

Ryan J. McConnell, 29, of Cincinnati, Ohio was arrested Monday and made his first appearance in U.S. District Court today where he was charged with possession and transportation of child pornography.

In a statement posted to the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood website, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio revealed that an investigation began into McConnell when FBI agents in El Paso, Texas discovered him within a Kik group titled "Toddlers." According to court documents members within that group distributed hundreds of images and videos depicting child rape.

During the course of the investigation into McConnell, it was discovered that he posted ads online advertising child care services as recently as late October 2020.  He was found to have utilized SitterCity where he had two accounts, Care, and Craigslist to advertise. At least 20 postings to Craigslist were identified as originating from McConnell.

Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that he posted to other platforms.

The FBI believes that there could potentially be more victims which have not yet been identified.  They are asking anyone in the Tri-State area who believes their child could be a victim of McConnell to contact their office at (513) 979-8611.

The charge of possession of child pornography could result in a maximum sentence of 10 years if McConnell is convicted.  The transportation charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, but could result in up to 20 years in prison.