Staff report

MIAMI COUNTY — Miami County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested a registered sex offender for alleged unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, and the department believes there may be more potential victims following its investigation.

On Monday, Miami County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Michael O. Fowler, 48, of Dayton, for third-degree felony unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. He is currently being held in the Miami County Jail.

According to a press release from Miami County Sheriff Dave Duchak, the charge stems from incidents in December of 2021 and January of 2022, which occurred in Miami County involving a 13-year-old victim. Fowler is on active parole with the Ohio Adult Parole Authority for illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material. Fowler is also a tier 1 registered sex offender in Montgomery County.

According to the press release, Fowler’s modus operandi (MO) involved using a variety of social media sites to post vape pens for sale. He would then meet primarily juveniles to sell the vape pens and as a way of introducing himself.

Fowler was arraigned on Tuesday in Miami County Municipal Court. Fowler entered a plea of not guilty, and his bond was set at $100,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 15.

Detectives suspect there may be other victims. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Det. Steve Hickey at 937-440-3965 EXT. 3987. Anonymous tips can be left on the Sheriff’s Office website at www.miamicountyohio.gov/sheriff. Click on the “contact us tab” and go to anonymous tips.