Erik Lake, 55, pleaded guilty Wednesday, Sept. 2, in Warren County Court of Common Pleas to 100 counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving minors, the Ohio legal term for child sexual abuse material.

Lake also admitted to forcing his way into a 20-year-old woman's apartment in Mason in December 2025 and assaulting her, WLWT first reported. Judge Robert Peeler revoked Lake's bond and ordered him into custody.

Warren County Assistant Prosecutor Brian Goodyear told the court that all 100 videos depicted prepubescent children. Each count is a felony under Ohio law.

"So you have not just someone who's possessing absolutely deviant, horrible material but also someone who has taken action to sexually assault another human being," Goodyear said.

The assault charge stems from an incident at a Mason apartment. The victim's mother was not home at the time. After her daughter described what happened, the mother called 911 and told a dispatcher that Lake hugged her daughter, picked her up, kissed her face repeatedly and ran his hands up and down her back.

Defense attorney James Staton told the court that the allegation, as described by the state and the victim, amounted to Lake trying to kiss the woman before she told him to leave and he left.

Lake addressed Judge Peeler directly, asking to remain free on bond while he continued counseling. Peeler denied the request and ordered Lake held in custody pending sentencing.

Lake faces sentencing Oct. 29 before Judge Peeler in Lebanon.

Anyone with information about child sexual exploitation can contact the Warren County Sheriff's Office or call local law enforcement.