Marblehead man pleads guilty in child porn case

PORT CLINTON — A Marblehead man accused of possessing child pornography pleaded guilty to all 20 felony charges listed in his indictment on Monday. Dylan J. Spears, 29, of the 300 block of N. Lake Pine Drive, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor or impaired person, each a second-degree felony; and eight counts of illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance, each a second-degree felony. No charges appeared to be amended or dismissed as a result of his plea. Spears is scheduled to be sentenced at 10 a.m. on July 6. Background The investigation into Spears first began in April 2025 when the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received a tip regarding the possible upload of child sexual abuse material to an online platform, according to a press release from the Ottawa County prosecutor's office. The tip was subsequently passed to the Ottawa County Major Crimes Unit, which, with assistance from Danbury police, initiated a thorough forensic and investigative review of the information provided. Due to this tip, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Spears' residence and, with the help of an electronic detection K-9, seized multiple electronic devices for forensic examination, the release states. "This case is a prime example of the power of interagency cooperation and the vital role that public and digital service providers play in protecting children," the release states. "Law enforcement throughout Ottawa County remains committed to pursuing those who exploit children online and holding them accountable."