YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - State Representative Al Cutrona is sponsoring legislation to help protect children and teens.
 
WFMJ news contacted Cutrona after we exposed a gaping loophole in Ohio laws that allow registered violent
repeat sex offenders, who are no longer on probation or parole, to work at or open a business that caters to
children and teens.
 
Under Ohio laws people who are designated violent child sex offenders can advertise to provide babysitting services,
or volunteer to coach or organize activities for children.
 

In November 2020 we received calls from outraged parents upset after law enforcement in Salem and Columbiana County could not do anything after Ashby Breneman, Jr, a former pastor who is classified as a violent child sex offender, opened doors to a snack shop in Salem.

That's because what Breneman was doing is legal in Ohio.
 
Breneman is classified as Tier Three Sexually Violent Offender, someone who could pose a threat to the community
and is at risk to re-offend. He must register his address where he lives every 90 days with the Sheriff's department for life.
 

In 1992 a judge in New York sentenced then pastor Breneman up to 7 years in prison for sexually abusing and sodomizing a 12 year old boy at a friends home as he recruited boys for his church camp.

In 1991 a court found Breneman sexually abused 6 boys between the ages of 7 and 14 at a Baptist Youth Camp. He was sentenced to 7 to 15 years in prison.

Salem police found not just one but a second registered sex offender working at the now closed snack shop in Salem.

The New York Division of Criminal Justice classified Christopher June as a sexually violent offender after the court found him 
guilty of abusing a 5 year old boy in 2004. He was 53 years old at the time of our report in November 202. June must register
his address with the Sheriff's Office where he lives every 6 months for 23 years. He is designated as a tier two sex offender at medium
risk to re-offend.
 
June also did nothing wrong since working in the snack shop that sold ice cream and candy was also legal.
 

WFMJ news checked with the Columbiana Sheriff's, the prosecutors office, and Salem P.D. who all said nothing could be done because of Ohio's laws.

The Ohio Attorney General's office told us, "Without laws that impose work restrictions sex offenders no longer under supervision
can own or work at a snack shop, toy store, or gym and become your child's cheer, or gymnastics coach."
 
Some states have passed such laws.

Many parents and people who live in Salem believe the laws in Ohio need to change to help protect children. They are excited to hear
about the legislation that has been drafted.
 
State Representative Al Cutrona said, "What this piece of legislation does, it prevents our most vulnerable, our children from having interactions with 
tier three and tier two sex offenders in their work place or volunteering."
 
If those individuals were to go ahead and do that the person could be subject to a criminal penalty. There are also some proactive measures
where they have to go to their supervisor, and they need to submit a piece of documentation which will be certified as to how much exposure they will
be having with children. This will be essential in helping keep kids protected," said Cutrona.
 
Cutrona emphasized, "I do believe there will be bipartisan support this is about protecting our children and teens."
 
The bill is out for co-sponsors now.