A Franklin County Corrections officer has been arrested on charges of trading child pornography online and is being held pending a hearing Friday.
38-year old Daniel Heintz of Columbus was charged in U.S. District Court with two child pornography related counts and turned himself in on Wednesday. A search of his home and workplace turned up what is alleged to be thousands of images of children engaged in explicit sexual activity.
The arrest of a man in Illinois last year led to Heintz. The two corresponded, and according to court records the two exhanged child pornography over an online message platform. An affadavit claims Heintz discussed sexually abusing a minor to whom he had access.
If convicted on both charges, Heintz faces a maximum possible sentence of up to 50 years in federal prison, along with mandatory registration as a sex offender.
Heintz was placed on administrative leave from his position at the downtown jail facility February 11th. Sheriff Dallas Baldwin has ordered his staff to begin termination procedures.
