James Fugh

A Mars man charged with 80 felonies related to a child pornography investigation, pleaded guilty in Butler County Court Tuesday.

James E. Fugh, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of felony criminal use of a communications device before President Judge Thomas Doerr.

The plea agreement calls for a sentence of 24 months of probation, fines and court costs.

Fugh posted $100,000 bail following his arraignment, and continues to be out pending that sentencing, which is scheduled March 8.

Fugh was initially charged with 80 felony counts, including 10 counts of sexual abuse of children; 10 counts of photographing, videotaping, depicting on computer or filming sexual acts; 10 counts of unlawful contact with a minor; 50 counts of child pornography; and 10 counts of criminal use of a communication facility after an investigation by the Northwest Computer Crime Task Force of the state police.

Adams Township police transferred the case to the task force after a report of a man having an online relationship with a 16-year-old girl, according to court records. Police said Fugh had a relationship with a girl from Canada from May 2014 to July 2015. She was 15 years old during the relationship, when they exchanged nude images.

The girl cut off contact after her parents discovered the relationship, police said. Ottawa police interviewed the victim on March 3, 2016, and she confirmed the details of the relationship.

When confronted, police said Fugh admitted to the relationship and turned over a flash drive and his computer. While examining Fugh's computer, police say they also discovered hundreds of sexually explicit videos showing girls between the ages of 8 and 12 years old.