Wadsworth man charged with sex abuse, manufacturing child pornography

A Wadsworth man has been charged with manufacturing child pornography after being accused of having sex with an underage girl, according to Lake County sheriff's detectives.

Joshua D. Howard, 20, of the 38800 block of Chicago Avenue, also was charged with criminal sexual abuse. He is being held at the Lake County jail with bail set at $750,000. His next court date is Jan. 16.

After receiving information in November, detectives conducted an extensive investigation and recovered evidence that Howard did have sex with the girl and he had recorded sexual acts with the her, according to a news release the sheriff's office.

On Friday, detectives executed a search warrant at Howard's residence, seizing computers and cellphones. Howard was arrested and subsequently charged, the release said.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call (847) 377-4245.