An Austintown man was arrested Monday by the U.S. Marshals Service following a secret indictment handed up by a Mahoning County grand jury.

Sixty-six-year-old James Dickey is currently held without bond at the Mahoning County Jail. He faces four felony counts involving the exploitation of minors, including the illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material and pandering sexually oriented matter.

According to court documents, the charges stem from alleged incidents occurring between July 2022 and April 2025.

Prosecutors allege that between July 8 and July 10, 2022, Dickey created or produced material showing a minor in a state of nudity. A second charge states that late in 2024, he distributed or displayed material showing a minor engaging in sexual activity.

The indictment also includes a charge of importuning. Investigators say that between March 27 and April 18, 2025, Dickey solicited a law enforcement officer who was posing as a juvenile online. The indictment states Dickey believed the person he was contacting was between 13 and 16 years old.

The investigation began after the Austintown Police Department received tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding files uploaded to the messaging app Kik. Police reports indicate the files were uploaded in late 2024.

Dickey is also charged with possessing criminal tools, specifically a cell phone allegedly used to commit these offenses.

 He is scheduled for arraignment on Dec. 23 at 9 a.m. before a grand jury judge.