The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Canton Resident Agency’s Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Northern District of Ohio United States Attorney’s Office, announce the arrest of Brenton “Brent” Cronebach, Jr., age 55, of Dover, Ohio.

The complaint alleges a tip was received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children from Google. Google indicated that files depicting child pornography had been shared and downloaded by a cell phone and email address associated with the name “Brent Cronebach”. An investigation was initiated by the FBI’s Canton Resident Agency Crimes Against Children Task Force.

On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, a search warrant was executed at Cronebach’s residence located in Dover, Ohio. Cronebach acknowledged that he downloaded thousands of images depicting child pornography and those items were stored on flash drives. The flash drives were seized by investigators. An arrest warrant was obtained for Cronebach and he was taken into custody without incident at the conclusion of the search warrant.

Brenton Cronebach, Jr. has been federally charged with possession and transportation of child pornography. Cronebach appeared in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Burke yesterday. Cronebach remains in federal custody and will have a federal preliminary detention hearing on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.

Law enforcement is encouraging anyone that has a child that has interacted with Brenton “Brent” Cronebach, Jr. and they feel any of those interactions could have been sexually inappropriate or was an attempt to “groom” a minor for future sexual interactions to please contact the FBI at 1-877-FBI-OHIO. (1-877-324-6446).

Law enforcement considers this an ongoing investigation and information outside of the federal complaint affidavit cannot be provided.

Any questions regarding this press release can be directed to SA Vicki Anderson at 216-522-1400 or at vagregg@fbi.gov.