SAGAMORE HILLS, Ohio (WOIO) – New developments in a story Investigating 19 first reported In October, a Sagamore Hills police detective reportedly tipped off a child pornography suspect before searching his home.

Now an Ohio lawmaker is calling for an investigation into how this happened.

“I am shocked, but also disappointed,” said Rep. Bill Roemer (R).

State House Rep. Bill Roemer said a constituent texted him a link to the 19 Investigates report, released Oct. 14.

Roemer represents the 31st district, which includes Sagamore Hills. He followed our report showing body camera video of police executing a search warrant at the home of 24-year-old Anthony Strong in October 2023.

Records show the case began in 2022, when Google sent a cyber tip to authorities indicating that an image was child pornography. The downloaded image traces back to Strong’s computer and cell phone.

However, three weeks before Strong’s home was raided, records show Detective Victoria Miavitz contacted Strong’s attorney and told him Strong was being investigated for possession of child pornography, potentially allowing any evidence to be destroyed.

“I don’t have anything to give you guys. I would,” Strong can be heard telling investigators on police body camera video.

“We don’t need to let them know in advance that we’re going to do this,” Roemer said.

We contacted Detective Miavitz last month to request an explanation.

19 “You notified him and his attorney of this prior to the search warrant being executed,” Investigator Mike Mason said. “So, can you comment on that?”

“No, I can’t,” Miavitz said.

Representative Roemer thinks the police mishandled this case and someone should be held accountable.

“That’s not the way policing works,” Roemer said.

We asked Sagamore Hills Police Chief David Hayes if Miavitz was investigated or reprimanded for the way he handled this case.

He said it wasn’t and the case was closed. Hayes had no further comment.

Last May, Strong was convicted of one count of possession of child pornography.

He was placed on probation for 18 months and is currently registered as a sex offender.

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