ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AVC News) — Two Zanesville men have each been sentenced to 20 years in prison after investigators uncovered more than 100 images and videos of child sexual abuse material and communications discussing the sexual abuse of children.
Richard Skaggs, 35, and Dairyen Morgan, 29, were arrested Sept. 17 following the execution of search warrants at their Zanesville homes.
Six days later, on Sept. 23, both men appeared before Muskingum County Common Pleas Court Judge Gerald Anderson and admitted their guilt through bills of information. The procedure allowed prosecutors to proceed without presenting the cases to a grand jury and eliminated the need for a trial.
Anderson sentenced both men to 20 years in prison.
According to the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation began in August after Zanesville Police Commander Phil Michel received a tip through the Internet Crimes Against Children system.
Investigators recovered more than 100 images and videos of child sexual abuse material during the investigation.
A search warrant for Skaggs’ Kik account also uncovered communications between Skaggs and Morgan discussing the sexual abuse of children, including discussions about finding and sexually abusing a child together.
Investigators also found messages indicating Skaggs had placed an SD card containing child sexual abuse material in a specific location for Morgan to retrieve. The SD card was later recovered from Morgan’s bedroom during a search warrant.
Additional evidence was recovered from phones, computers, online accounts and other digital media, according to prosecutors.
Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch said the communications between the men were particularly concerning because they indicated an interest in sexually abusing children themselves.
“Fortunately, through the investigative efforts of law enforcement, these two men were stopped before they were able to make those fantasies a reality,” Welch said.
Assistant Prosecutor John Litle handled the cases for the state.
“This case involved some of the most repugnant, disturbing, and totally unacceptable behavior and content imaginable,” Litle said.
As part of the resolution of the case, Skaggs forfeited nearly 40 firearms found in his possession.
Both men will be required to register as sex offenders if they are released from prison.
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office credited Michel, the Zanesville Police Department and the Cambridge office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their work on the investigation.
Last Updated on September 24, 2026 by AVC News
