Ohio AG: Grand jury issues indictments in sweeping child sex abuse, endangerment cases

MCARTHUR, Ohio — A Vinton County grand jury issued indictments in three criminal cases involving sexual abuse and child endangerment, Vinton County Prosecutor William Archer, Vinton County Sheriff Ryan Cain and Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson announced Friday.

“These indictments are the latest developments in the ongoing investigations, but our work is far from complete,” Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson. “BCI is actively investigating these cases alongside the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office, and my office will continue to support Prosecuting Attorney William Archer as the legal process continues.”

The charges stem from criminal investigations conducted by the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).

The cases are being prosecuted by the Vinton County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from the Highland County Prosecutor’s Office and the attorney general’s Special Prosecutions Section.

Investigation One

In December 2025, at the request of the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office, BCI’s Special Victims Unit opened an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving two children. This investigation resulted in indictments against two South Bloomingville men.

Josh Saunders, 23, was indicted on four charges:

Three counts of rape (F1).
One count of gross sexual imposition (F3).

Brandon Henderson Sr., 40, was indicted on 21 charges:

One count of endangering children (F2).
Two counts of endangering children (F3).
Four counts of gross sexual imposition (F3).
Four counts of gross sexual imposition (F4).
Eight counts of sexual battery (F4).
Two counts of endangering children (M1).

The men were arrested Friday without incident by the Vinton and Ross County Sheriff’s Offices and BCI.

Investigation Two

Information obtained in the first investigation prompted BCI in March 2026 to open a second investigation, this one involving allegations of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. On June 30, authorities executed a search warrant at 182 Ohmer St., a residence in Hamden.

This investigation led to the indictments of Gary Siders Jr., 36, and his wife, Elizabeth Siders, 33.

Gary Siders Jr. was indicted on four charges:

Two counts of sexual battery (F3).
Two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor (F3).

Elizabeth Siders was also indicted on four charges:

Two counts of sexual battery (F3).
Two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor (F3).

The indictments allege that between January and September 2022, the defendants engaged in sexual conduct with a minor more than 10 years younger than their own age. The victim is not a member of their immediate family.

Investigation Three

When law enforcement executed the search warrant at the Ohmer Street residence, authorities discovered 16 children living in the house in unsafe conditions. The indictments allege that the children suffered serious physical harm.

Gary Siders Jr., the children’s father, was indicted on 19 charges:

Two counts of endangering children (F2).
10 counts of endangering children (F3).
Seven counts of endangering children (M1).

Elizabeth Siders, the children’s mother, was indicted on 19 charges:

Two counts of endangering children (F2).
10 counts of endangering children (F3).
Seven counts of endangering children (M1).

Gary Siders Sr., 73, the children’s paternal grandfather, was indicted on 16 charges:

10 counts of endangering children (F3).
Six counts of endangering children (M1).

Christina Siders, 68, the children’s paternal grandmother, was indicted on 19 charges:

Two counts of endangering children (F2).
10 counts of endangering children (F3).
Seven counts of endangering children (M1).

The indictments in this case include charges in the alternative, meaning that multiple counts or different theories of a crime have been charged for the same acts. Doing so allows for a more complete and appropriate presentation of evidence to the court and jury.

Indictments are criminal allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.