Sex offender's case stayed in Ohio Supreme Court

BELLEVUE — Ohio's highest court postponed hearing the case of a Bellevue man who allegedly attempted to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex.In 2016, Glen Gilbert, 76, pleaded guilty to pandering obscenity involving a minor after he allegedly placed an advertisement on Craigslist for an "Older seeking Younger."Sandusky County Judge John Dewey sentenced him to four years in prison and required he register as a sex offender. But Gilbert appealed and argued the court didn't fully inform him of the requirements of a sex offender before he entered his plea.The sixth district court of appeals decided the trial court's failure to mention the residential restrictions of Gilbert's sex offender status rendered his sentence and conviction void.This decision, however, conflicted with a previous case in the eighth district appellate court, so the case was sent to Ohio's Supreme Court for review.Ohio's Supreme Court agreed there was a conflict between the two appellate court's decisions. But the court is already hearing another case, the state of Ohio vs. Brad Dangler, with the same conflict.Last week, the Ohio Supreme Court decided Gilbert's case would be "held for decision" in the Dangler case, according to court documents. Gilbert's case is stayed until a decision is made. He's incarcerated in the North Central Correctional Institution.Original caseAfter Gilbert placed the advertisement, he allegedly responded to a person he believed was a 13-year-old girl, but it was actually an undercover Bellevue police officer.He allegedly sent a pornographic video involving children to the undercover officer and arranged to meet the "the girl" at a park. Police arrested him there.He was charged with pandering obscenity, importunity, attempted unlawful sexual conduct and dissenting matter harmful to a juvenile. As part of a plea deal, he pleaded guilty to pandering obscenity and all other charges were dismissed.Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegister