DEFIANCE CO. GRAND JURY
Defiance County Prosecuting Attorney, Morris J. Murray, has released the following information regarding recent Indictments returned by a Defiance County Grand Jury on August 21, 2024: Bernard M. Bates, age 83, 1302 Byrnwyck Ct., Defiance, was indicted for Two Counts of Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor, each a Felony of the Second Degree, and Two Counts of Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor, each a Felony of the Fourth Degree. Authorities allege that from June 23, 2022, through August 8, 2022, Bates created\ reproduced, or published materials showing a minor participating or engaging in sexual activity, and he also possessed obscene materials that had a minor as one of its participants.