Update: Norwalk man indicted for sex trafficking, exploitation

NORWALK — A Norwalk man faces charges for allegedly convincing underage girls to have sex with him for purported pornographic films.Charles T. Barbarotta, 32, who is a registered sex offender, was charged with two counts of sex trafficking of a minor, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of wire fraud.A federal grand jury indicted Barbarotta on Oct. 11 in a U.S. District Court in Toledo, according to a Friday news release.The indictment alleges Barbarotta "knowingly employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced" two girls younger than 18 years old to engage in "commercial sex acts."The sex Barbarotta allegedly had with the minors, which he allegedly recorded, were reportedly under the promise that he was making an adult film, according to the release.The conduct allegedly began on about Dec. 1, 2016 and continued through about Dec. 15, 2016, according to the indictment. The acts were allegedly recorded on Barbarotta's smartphone. The release did not say where the alleged sexual misconduct occurred. Law enforcement believes Barbarotta might have "engaged in similar conduct with other victims," according to the release. The FBI is asking anyone with information to call them at 419-243-6122.The indictment included forfeiture specifications, which will require Barbarotta to turn over any videos or other visual depictions of the alleged acts, as well as any property used to commit the alleged offense and any property paid for by profits of the films. Among the items Barbarotta must forfeit: an Apple iPad, according to the indictment. Barbarotta has a criminal history.He was sentenced to seven months in prison by a Huron County judge in 2008 for violating probation after being convicted of breaking and entering, according to Huron County common pleas court records. Barbarotta was also charged with receiving stolen property in 2016, but the case was later dismissed. He also has various traffic offenses. A search of Ohio's sex offender database lists him as a "sexually oriented offender," but it does not reference any previous sex crimes. The FBI and sheriff's offices in Ottawa, Huron, and Erie counties investigated the case. The case is being handled by assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Tangeman. More Norwalk articlesReach reporter Brandon Addeo at brandonaddeo@sanduskyregister.com, follow him on Twitter @BrandonAddeo and follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterBarbarotta, Charles