BUCYRUS, OH — The City of Bucyrus confirmed Thursday afternoon that a city employee was arrested during work hours following an investigation into serious allegations involving children.
Anthony Van Houten, 52, a member of the city’s Street Department, was taken into custody on January 29, 2026, by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. During his initial appearance in Crawford County Municipal Court on Friday, January 30th, Judge Shane Leuthold set bond at $1 million. Van Houten is officially charged with 10 counts of Pandering Sexually Oriented Material Involving a Minor.
Van Houten is being represented by Bucyrus attorney Brad Starkey. Despite the high bond, the case has not yet appeared on the court’s online docket as of Friday afternoon.
The city confirmed the arrest is for charges unrelated to Van Houten’s official duties, and Law Director Brandon Gobrecht reemphasized that no city equipment was involved.
“There is no evidence that I have seen to suggest that city resources were used in the alleged crime,” Gobrecht told FreeWire.
In a joint statement issued by Mayor Bruce Truka, Law Director Gobrecht, and Service-Safety Director Tommy Starner, the city announced that Van Houten has been placed on unpaid administrative leave effective immediately. As a standard precaution, he has been stripped of all physical and electronic access to city facilities, equipment, and systems.
The City stated it is cooperating fully with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and the Prosecutor’s Office but will not comment further at this time.
Official Statement from the City of Bucyrus
“The City of Bucyrus confirms that a City employee was arrested on January 29th, 2026 by the Crawford County Sheriff’s office on charges unrelated to the employee’s official duties. The arrest occurred during work hours.
The employee has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation and any related administrative review. As part of standard procedure, the individual has been removed from all access to City facilities, systems, equipment, and property, including electronic systems and physical access points, including manual and any electronic access to City Infrastructure.
The City of Bucyrus is cooperating fully with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and the Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office. Because this is an active investigation, and to protect the integrity of the process and the rights of all parties involved, the City will not comment further on the allegations at this time.”
— Mayor Bruce Truka, Law Director Brandon Gobrecht, and Service-Safety Director Tommy Starner
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