Huron man pleads guilty to attempted sex crimes

PORT CLINTON — A Huron man who was one of eight people arrested in an undercover investigation after attempting to solicit sex from children online recently pleaded guilty in his two criminal cases. At a court hearing on April 13, Noelan L. Winston, 22, of the fourth block of Richland Ave., pleaded guilty to the following charges: • Two counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, each a second-degree felony • One count of attempt to commit conspiracy to sexual battery, a third-degree felony • One count of attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a fourth-degree felony • One count of possessing criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony Winston pleaded guilty to the five charges in exchange for one count of conspiracy, a fourth-degree felony, and one count of importuning, a fifth-degree felony, to be dismissed. According to Winston's guilty plea form, he is likely to be classified as a Tier 3 sex offender, which means that he must verify his home and work addresses every three months for the rest of his life. Winston's sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on June 25. Background The investigation into Winston began in June 2025 when he, along with seven others were arrested following a four-day undercover operation, which targeted "online child predators." The operation was a joint effort involving the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, Ottawa County prosecutor's office and the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, according to a news release from the prosecutor's office. As part of the operation, law enforcement officers within Ottawa County posed as children between the ages of 12 and 15 on various online platforms. People who "initiated contact and expressed intent to engage in sexual activity" allegedly agreed to travel to prearranged locations, believing they would meet a child. Some of the individuals allegedly offered monetary compensation in exchange for sexual conduct, the release states. The seven other people arrested as part of the investigation include: • Stephen J. Walterbach, 44, of the 300 block of Forest Green Drive, Lakeside-Marblehead, was charged with and later pleaded guilty to importuning, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and possession of criminal tools. Ottawa County Common Pleas Court Judge Bruce Winters sentenced Walterbach to serve two years in prison. • Robert L. Neuenschwander, 76, of Delta, Ohio, was charged with and later pleaded guilty to two counts each of importuning, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and possession of criminal tools. Winters sentenced Neuenschwander to serve over four years in prison. • Luis Romero Perez, 29, of Toledo, was charged with importuning, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and possession of criminal tools. He has an upcoming court hearing scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday. • Keith G. Geyer, 47, of North Royalton, Ohio, was charged with and later pleaded guilty to charges of importuning, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, compelling prostitution and possession of criminal tools. Winters sentenced Geyer to serve five-and-a-half years in prison. • Ryan S. Thomas, 41, of Swanton, Ohio, pleaded guilty and was convicted on one count of importuning and one count of possession of criminal tools, both fifth-degree felonies. Winters sentenced Thomas to serve one-and-a-half years in prison. • Larry C. Wymer, 35, of Whitehouse, Ohio, was found guilty by a jury on charges of importuning, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, possession of criminal tools and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. Winters sentenced Wymer to serve seven years in prison. • Adam J. Smith, 39, of Oregon, Ohio, was charged with and later pleaded guilty to importuning, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and possession of criminal tools. Winters sentenced Smith to serve one-and-a-half years in prison.