Teens plead in sex video case

CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO  — The two Circleville teens who filmed themselves having sex with a 14-year-old girl last year have both pleaded guilty to a felony charge in the case.

Tyler Knul, 18, pleaded to attempted tampering with evidence, a felony of the fourth degree, Thursday afternoon in Pickaway County Juvenile Court.

Rusty Shull, 17, pleaded to the same charge in a separate hearing last week.

Both Shull and Knul will be sentenced next month following their pre-sentence investigations by the court.

“They will definitely get probation, but as far as anything else that’s what the pre-trial investigation is for, to help the judge see what’s best,” said Heather Armstrong, assistant county prosecutor.

The teens were charged Sept. 25, 2013, on one count each of pandering obscenity involving a minor, a fourth-degree felony.

According to Chief Wayne Gray, a fellow student overheard the boys discussing the video and reported it to a school official about three weeks before they were charged. Officials contacted the Circleville Police Department, which began an investigation.

Armstrong said police were able to get a warrant for the camera, where they discovered the video.

Armstrong said investigators believe the sexual activity between the girl and the two boys was consensual, but that the girl was unaware the incident was captured on video until the investigation began.

 http://www.circlevilletoday.com