A months-long investigation has led to a felony child exploitation charge filed against an Ottawa man. Captain J. W. Hawkins says that in January 2025, Ottawa police detectives received a tip that an Ottawa resident may have been in possession of child pornographic images. Since then, investigators say, they have collaborated with the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children task force and the National Center for missing and Exploited Children. The partners identified a suspect and were able to develop a criminal case for prosecution.
Tuesday, March 25th, detectives arrested 28-year-old Anthony Conner, of Ottawa, for sexual exploitation of a child. Conner is being held in the Franklin County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond. Ottawa police did note that no children depicted in the images allegedly found in Conner’s possession were identified as Ottawa residents.
Conner’s first appearance in Franklin County District Court is set for Wednesday, April 2nd, at 10:30 in the morning. If convicted, he could spend more than 11 years in prison.
The Ottawa Police Department is committed to the safety of children, both online and in the community. If you have any information about child exploitation, you are urged to call police.
