COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus man who has a long history of targeting and exploiting underage girls for sex acts is now facing federal charges after authorities say he used gifts and drugs to coerce area high school students into engaging in commercial sex acts.
Terrance P. Cummings, 29, is charged with sexually exploiting a minor, distributing, receiving or possessing child pornography, coercion and enticement of a minor, and obstruction of justice. He would face a sentence of 25 to 50 years in prison if convicted of child exploitation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio. The coercion and enticement charge has a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and maximum of life.
The district attorney’s office says the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force received information in July about a 16-year-old victim reportedly receiving gifts and illicit substances from Cummings in exchange for sex acts.
Cummings is accused of having sex with several minor victims in exchange for drugs. He also is accused of requesting nude photos of them.
Authorities say Cummings sometimes gave drugs to the victims before having sex with them. He is accused of selling or providing fentanyl, marijuana, Xanax, cocaine, acid and ecstasy. Prosecutors say drugs were found in Cumming’s apartment during a search in August.
He reportedly hid two cellphones in the tank of a toilet in an attempt to destroy them after finding out his apartment would be searched. Authorities say electronics found in the apartment contained more than 18,000 sexual images and videos, including child pornography.
Cummings reportedly has a history of unlawful sexual contact with minors dates to 2016. The FBI asks anyone with information in regard to Cummings to text 740-428-0739.
