Man admits sex crimes with teens

A New York man pleaded guilty to sex crimes involving youths during a hearing in Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Kelbley’s courtroom Tuesday. Axel C. Joseph, 19, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty to one count of pandering obscenity involving a minor, a second-degree felony, and three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, all fourth-degree felonies. Kelbley sentenced him to four years in prison on the second-degree felony and 11 months on each fourth-degree felony. The 11-month sentences are to be served concurrently to each other and consecutively to the four-year sentence. Seneca County Prosecutor’s Office is not to object to a timely filed motion for judicial release if there are no unfavorable reports from the institution. Joseph is to be eligible for release consideration once he serves six months. Joseph, who is not a U.S. citizen, was given credit for 84 days already served and must register as a Tier II sex offender. Joseph was a Tiffin University student at the time of his arrest, and the incidents happened at 34 Miami St., which is off-campus housing, according to Tiffin Police Department and court records. According to court documents, the victims were 14 and 13 years old at the time of the offenses. Detective Lt. Mark Marquis of Tiffin Police Department has said Joseph met one of the victims online. The two girls are friends. Joseph spoke before sentencing and said it was a silly mistake on his behalf. He apologized to the victims and his parents and said he should have used his discretion and avoided the conflict.