Vermilion man pleads guilty in child porn case

Editor's note: Joseph Jones is a Register correspondent representing vermiliondaily.com. VERMILION — A Vermilion man previously charged in an investigation involving child sexual abuse material has pleaded guilty in Lorain County Common Pleas Court, more than a year after the case first drew public attention. Matthew G. Rich, 41, of the 200 block of Altamont Road, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, according to court records. Sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 22 before Judge Melissa Kobasher. The plea marks the latest development in a case Vermilion Daily has followed since Rich's arrest in 2025. The case later moved from Vermilion Municipal Court to Lorain County Common Pleas Court, where court records showed Rich was initially facing two second-degree felony counts and had been released on a $30,000 personal bond with house arrest and no-contact conditions. Rich was indicted on May 15, 2025, on 14 counts, according to court records. Guilty plea follows 14-count indictment The charges included nine counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor or impaired person and five counts of illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance. The plea paperwork notes that some counts are expected to merge for sentencing, meaning Rich pleaded guilty to the charges, but the court may not sentence him separately on every count. The plea paperwork lists a potential maximum sentence of 20 to 24 years. The paperwork also lists sex offender registration requirements. Count 1 is listed as a Tier 2 sex offense, requiring registration every six months for 25 years. Counts 2 through 14 are listed as Tier 1 sex offenses. If Rich is labeled a Tier 2 offender through count 1, the Tier 1 designation would be moot. Bond continued Rich had been released from custody while the case moved through court, according to court records. When the case was transferred from Vermilion Municipal Court to Lorain County Common Pleas Court on April 1, 2025, the docket stated that bond was set at $30,000 personal bond and that the personal bond was posted by the defendant. A later entry stated that Rich was arraigned by waiver, entered a not guilty plea and that bond was continued. After pleading guilty on Tuesday, Rich's bond was continued pending sentencing, according to court records. Sentencing set for June Rich had been scheduled for a jury trial to start on Tuesday when he changed his plea. Court records show the trial was canceled after the guilty plea was entered. The case remains listed as undisposed because sentencing has not yet occurred. Rich is scheduled to be sentenced June 22.