James Risner signing his plea agreement. Andy Grimm | Photo

James Risner appeared in Clark County Court of Common Pleas this morning and entered a plea of guilty to the charge of rape, a first degree felony. The charge carries a specification that the victim was under the age of 10 years old.

In return for the plea, the State dropped all other charges against Risner.

Risner will be sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, to be served consecutively with the 30-40 years imposed by a federal court yesterday.

A pre-sentencing deposition is scheduled for November 17 at 8:45am in Judge O’Neil’s court.

Risner, of Prentice Dr. in the City of New Carlisle, was charged on November 30, 2015 with pandering sexually-oriented material involving a minor.

Municipal court records state the “Defendant, James Risner, did create, record, photograph, film, develop, reproduce, or publish material showing a minor participating or engaging in sexual activity, masturbation, or bestiallity.”

James Risner was charged with one count of Pandering Sexually Oriented material involving a minor and placed in Clark County Jail. Additional charges will follow pending further investigation.”

Risner was the owner of Rescue 1 Custom Vinyls at 412 N. Main St in New Carlisle.


James Edward Risner III, 34, of New Carlisle, Ohio pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to producing and distributing child pornography involving a seven-year old victim.

Benjamin C. Glassman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Field Division, Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly and Clark County Prosecuting Attorney D. Andrew Wilson announced the pleas entered Wednesday, September 14 before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Sharon L. Ovington.

According to court documents, Risner engaged in various sexual activities with the victim at his home and business between July 2015 and November 2015, took pictures of the activities then shared the photos on various websites.

FBI agents and Clark County Sheriff’s deputies patrolling the Internet found the photos, traced them to Risner and arrested him in November 2015. He has been in custody since his arrest.
Risner’s plea agreement includes a sentencing range between 360 and 480 months in prison and a life term of supervised release following his prison term. U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Black will determine whether or not to accept the terms of the plea agreement and if he does, will schedule a date for sentencing.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

Acting U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Sheriff Kelly’s Office, Assistant United States Attorneys Dwight Keller and Sheila Lafferty, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Smith from the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office, who are representing the United States in this case.

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