LIMA — A local prosecutor dismissed the charges Thursday against a former Lima schools elementary teacher just a day after a charge was filed in federal court that carries up to 20 years in prison.
Brian J. Anders was facing four counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in Allen County. Assistant Allen County Prosecutor Terri Kohlrieser dropped the charges. She said Anders faces significant time in federal prison.
She said the crimes are better suited to be filed in federal court rather than state court but did not exclude her from pursuing in state court or refiling in the future.
While the 36-year-old old Anders is facing one count of receipt of material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor in federal court, his case will be presented to a federal grand jury with the chance of more charges.
Anders remains in federal custody with a detention hearing set for Nov. 24.
The federal charge carries a potential prison sentence of five to 20 years, up to a $250,000 fine and probation up to lifetime monitoring.
Lima Police detectives and an FBI agent began investigating Anders earlier this year after receiving information in April from Allen County Children Services about a report of sexual abuse of a child. Lima Police identified Anders as a suspect and learned he was an elementary school teacher at Lima schools, a music director at a local church and social media said he was director of a boys choir in Van Wert, according to court records.
Anders used Facebook and fake profiles to meet the teens, groom them and have sex with several he met, records state.
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