22-year-old accused of unlawful conduct with minor
AUSTINTOWN
A 22-year-old man accused of having sexually explicit conversations and sending nude photographs to a 15-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday afternoon.
Albert Maruna IV, of Orwell, is charged with importuning, possessing criminal tools, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.
A police officer posed as a 15-year-old boy on a dating application, the report said, and Maruna began messaging the officer on Dec. 5. Police said when the boy's age was initially mentioned, Maruna replied: "Age is a number I believe...I don't believe in age...I'm OK if you (sic) OK with me."
For about a week, Maruna maintained contact with police, continually sending explicit messages that detailed his sexual intentions, and photos of his genitalia, the report said.
Albert arranged to meet the 15-year-old at noon Wednesday, and was instead met by police, the report said.
During an interview with police, Maruna did "not deem having sex with a consenting 15-year-old as wrong," the report said.
Maruna faces a preliminary hearing Jan. 3 in Mahoning County court.