22-year-old arrested on underage sex charges

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

A 22-year-old man accused of having sexually explicit conversations and sending nude photographs to a 15-year-old boy was arrested Tuesday 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 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. Police said the boy’s age was brought up multiple times in conversation.

Albert arranged to meet the 15-year-old at noon Wednesday, and was instead met by police, the report said. Police found a cellphone, a laptop with three zip drives, two bottles of Sprite, a bowl of chicken alfredo, petroleum jelly and sexual lubricant when Maruna was arrested, the report said.

Police searched Maruna’s phone and found nude photos and separate sexually explicit conversations, the report said, but have not determined the ages of those involved.

During an interview with police, Maruna admitted his intent, and 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.