Multi-year investigation leads to arrest on child pornography charges in Preble County

An Eaton man who was the focus of a nearly two-year investigation has been formally charged with multiple child pornography charges.

The News Center 7 I-Team is investigating the case and allegations against Ernest Hatmaker. Lead investigator John Bedell will bring you the latest on News Center 7 tonight at 6 p.m.

Ernest Hatmaker, 53, was indicted by a Preble County grand jury this week on five counts of solicitation of a sexually oriented matter involving a minor or impaired person and one count of illegal use of a minor or impaired person in material or Performances that focused on nudity charged. according to Preble County Common Pleas Court records.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: I-TEAM: The FBI is investigating possible child pornography in connection with a search warrant at the home of an Eaton businessman

As the I-Team reported in August 2022, the case arose when an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force arrested investigators from the Preble County Sheriff’s Office in February 2022 for “sharing potential child pornography through the Kik app “contacted. and forwarded “a total of six videos” to MPs.

Hatmaker’s home was searched by FBI and Preble County Sheriff’s Office investigators in June 2022.

The case was later turned over to the Preble County District Attorney’s Office for review and presented to the grand jury this week, resulting in the indictment.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: FBI agents issue a search warrant for the Preble County home as part of an “ongoing investigation.”

Hatmaker was arrested Wednesday and taken to the Preble County Jail, where he remains. He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

News Center 7’s John Bedell reached out to Hatmaker’s attorney today, who had no comment at this time.

This is a developing story. We will provide updates as we learn more.