OTTAWA COUNTY, OH (Toledo News Now) - Charges have now been filed in a child pornography case that started with a box of books.
Frederick Harder, 38, has been charged in Ottawa County for the child pornography found amongst books dropped off at a Port Clinton auction house.
A woman reported finding the child pornography inside a box of books she purchased at the auction house in February. The photos were taped to the inside of a DVD cover stashed amongst the books.
The auctioneer said the books were purchased in bulk from a storage locker, and were not inspected before being sold on January 16.
Harder was already behind bars in Ottawa County, charged with 37 counts of rape and 36 counts of sexual battery. He is now being charged with an additional seven counts of creating child pornography and two counts of obtaining material involving a minor.
If found guilty, Harder could be sentenced to life in prison.
Investigators say justice could not be served without the woman that reported the pornography.
"Because she was able to bring it forward, we were able to make contact with the victim, offer some assistance, and potentially hold the person responsible that did it," said Det. Corbin Carpenter of the Port Clinton Police Department.
A trial date has not been set for Harder yet.
