Two Harrison County men indicted on child exploitation charges

Two cases involving alleged sexual offenses against minors came before the Harrison County Court of Common Pleas Oct. 21.

Henry Miller is charged with two counts each of second-degree felony pandering obscenity involving a minor, pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, and illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance.

Miller was served with his indictment as he entered the courtroom. Judge Shawn Hervey noted that officials in Pennsylvania had requested $125 to serve Miller there. Hervey read the charges and explained the potential penalties, which include up to eight years for each felony, plus an indefinite sentence of half that term. The maximum penalty Miller could face is 48 to 52 years in prison.

Miller’s attorney, Public Defender C. Adrian Pincola, said Miller had a previous case in the county that was dismissed. Prosecutor Lauren Knight asked that Miller’s previous $10,000 bond be transferred and that he have no access to internet-capable devices. The court agreed, allowing the existing bond to carry over.

In a separate case, Cadiz resident John Heinzman was arraigned on two counts of second-degree felony pandering obscenity involving a minor, one count of second-degree felony illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, and one count of fifth-degree felony voyeurism.

According to the sheriff’s report, Heinzman allegedly used an old cell phone to record a teen in the bathroom of their shared home. The incident came to light after the teen found a phone recording in their laundry basket and posted about it on TikTok.

Deputies said Heinzman admitted to recording the teen and others in the past, though he claimed to have deleted the videos. He told deputies he had struggled with porn addiction since age 6 and wanted help. Deputies reported that he appeared remorseful.

Heinzman appeared by video from the Monroe County Jail for arraignment. He faces up to 17 to 21 years in prison. He requested a court-appointed attorney.

His bond remains set at $50,000 with a 10 percent option. “Defendant has yet to post bond,” Hervey said. “Next thing we will do is set this for a pretrial conference. You will need to fill out the affidavit of indigency immediately, then your attorney can start working.”