Castalia man charged with sex crime involving girl

MARGARETTA TWP. — An investigation from the Erie County sheriff's office reportedly found that a Castalia man touched girls' feet and kept more than 100 photos of their feet on his phone.Nathaniel Cruz, 21, of the 6600 block of Alspaugh Drive, received a charge of gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony.An investigation into his alleged actions started in October, according to Erie County sheriff's office Chief Deputy Jared Oliver.Documents show between 2015 and 2017 Cruz: • Used his hands to "massage" the feet of two girls in Margaretta Township homes• Put his mouth on the girls' feet.• Touched one of the girls' thighs, which brought about the gross sexual imposition chargeThe report noted Cruz paid the girls in various forms, including cash and food, in exchange for letting him touch them."He called it his 'little secret'," said Oliver, who relayed dialogue from Cruz when interviewing with deputies.Deputies found more than 100 photos of children's feet on Cruz's phone along with videos showing their feet. Police also discovered text messages on his phone referencing the alleged sexual activity.Oliver said Cruz lived in the same home with one of the victims over several periods of time.Cruz's activity with the girls continued for at least two more years before one of the girls eventually became "uncomfortable" with the arrangement and told her father, who reported it to the sheriff's office in October 2017, Oliver said.Cruz apparently wanted a third girl to participate in a similar activity, but she refused, Oliver said.He does not appear to have a criminal record in Erie County. He is being held in the Erie County jail without bond.More Sandusky police articlesReach reporter Brandon Addeo at brandonaddeo@sanduskyregister.com, follow him on Twitter @BrandonAddeo and follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterCruz, Nathaniel