Warren prosecutor weighs more serious charges in child enticement case

Victor Godfrey

WARREN A Warren man already facing multiple counts of enticing children under 14 years old could face more serious charges.

During a hearing on Tuesday in Warren municipal court, Victor R. Godfrey, 54, of N. Park Ave., pleaded “not guilty” to six misdemeanor child enticement charges for allegedly soliciting, coaxing, enticing, or luring any child under 14 years of age.

However, court records show that the charges could be dismissed as the prosecutor is now considering filing felony charges after she interviewed the alleged victims.

Godfrey has been held in the county jail on $200,000 bond since June 20 after police responded to a call about a man allegedly attempting to entice three young girls with candy and a ride.

Warren Police were called to the 100 block of Idylwild St. NE by a woman reporting that a man in a white van was asking her three daughters if they wanted a ride and some candy.

An officer spotted a van matching the description pull into the North End Market shortly after the dispatch call. He then saw a man, later identified as Godfrey, exit the van and enter the store. The caller provided a more detailed description, stating the suspect had a blue shirt, a hat, a beard, was in his 50s, and dragged his leg while walking. She also noted the van had purple, blue, and brown scratches on the side.

As he exited the store, Godfrey was stopped by police who reported a strong odor of alcohol. Godfrey told officers he drank two 24-ounce alcoholic beverages.

After undergoing field sobriety tests, police determined Godfrey was too intoxicated to drive. A portable breath test indicated the presence of alcohol, and a subsequent breath test at the Warren Police Department measured Godfrey's blood alcohol content at 0.146, exceeding Ohio's legal limit of 0.08.

While one officer conducted OVI tests, another officer spoke with the caller and her daughters on Idylwild Street NE. The alleged victims stated they had seen Godfrey at the North End Market around 4 p.m. Thursday, where he allegedly stared at them, bought a beer, and then followed them.

The second alleged incident occurred around 10 p.m., when they saw Godfrey in his van on Idylwild Street, stop in the middle of the road, and ask if they wanted candy and a ride. The girls, whose ages are not disclosed in the report, ran home and told their mother.

Godfrey was also cited for driving under the influence.