County man charged with importuning

VW independent/submitted information

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach announced the arrest of a man Friday morning on a sex-related charge.

Sheriff Riggenbach said Nathan D. Kreischer, 25, of Ohio City, was arrested at Smiley Park on a charge of importuning, a felony of the fifth degree.

The sheriff stated Kreischer allegedly made arrangements to meet a 13-year-old juvenile at Smiley Park, but was arrested by deputies and members of the West Central Ohio Crime Task Force at the park when he arrived to meet the juvenile.

Sheriff Riggenbach said Kreischer was taken to the Van Wert County Correctional Facility where he was being held pending an arraignment hearing Friday afternoon. Sheriff Riggenbach said the investigation into the incident was continuing and additional charges could be filed.

Sheriff Riggenbach is asking area residents with information about this incident, or similar incidents, to contact his office at 419.238.3866 or the Sheriff’s Office website at www.vanwertcountysheriff.com, using the “Submit a Crime Tip” link on the home page. County residents can also contact Van Wert County Crime Stoppers at 419.238.7867 to report information. Sheriff Riggenbach reminds citizens they can remain anonymous when reporting information.

The West Central Ohio Crime Task Force is comprised of officers from the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Allen County Sheriff’s Office, Lima Police Department, and multiple state and federal agencies. The West Central Ohio Crime Task Force operates within a multi-county area to combat drugs and major crimes.