Whitehall City Councilmember Gerald Dixon allegedly wrote about his attraction to underage boys in journal entries recovered by police during a search at his home on Monday.
Whitehall Police Chief Mike Crispen revealed more about the allegations against Dixon in a letter sent Wednesday to Whitehall Mayor Michael Bivens. Dixon was arrested Monday and charged with sexually abusing and soliciting prostitution from minors, but he was released from jail by a Franklin County judge.
Dixon won re-election in November and was re-sworn into city council on Tuesday, just hours after being released from jail. The judge cited Dixon's city council position and insufficient evidence presented at the hearing as a reason to release Dixon.
Crispen wrote to Bivens that police seized thousands of pages of journal writings from Dixon's residence that Crispen said reveals Dixon had a long-standing struggle with sexual attraction toward underage boys.
The chief wrote he wanted the city to have the information "to provide sufficient evidence to enable informed and responsible decision-making."
"With authorization from the investigative team, I am able to share a limited portion of information that will assist the city council in making informed decisions while ensuring the integrity of the investigation remains intact," Crispen wrote to Bivens.
City Council President Thomas Potter has said the council is looking into expelling Dixon.
Crispen quoted from the journal where Dixon allegedly wrote "my taste never changed but my age did." Dixon allegedly wrote he was concerned with being labeled a "social monster" or a "pedophile," but he then tries to justify his attraction to underage boys.
Crispen says Dixon wrote he spent time in local parks to observe young boys and their genitals through wet clothing. Dixon allegedly admits to taking photos of an underage child as well.
Crispen told reporters this week eight victims have come forward and there could be more since Dixon's alleged actions stretch back decades.
Dixon told reporters Tuesday he would not comment on whether the allegations were true. He did not explicitly deny the charges, but pushed back against a piece of evidence Crispen presented at a Tuesday press conference. The evidence was a poster with photos of multiple young boys on it, paired with words used to insult gay people.
Dixon called the poster "artwork."
In the letter to Bivens, Crispen said the entries he referenced were written when Dixon was around 32 years old and span to the present day. Dixon is now 64.
"It is important to note that journaling of this nature - detailing persistent deviant thoughts and rationalizations — is commonly observed in the behavioral profiles of individuals who prey on children," Crispen wrote.
The letter allegedly states that Dixon thought he "opened Pandora's box" following an encounter with a 14-year-old acquaintance. Dixon allegedly wrote that this moment marked the beginning of what he referred to as the "destructive end I reached."
Crispen said this passage alluded to the secret lifestyle Dixon was leading.
Crispen goes on to describe how the police investigation indicates that Dixon is alleged to have paid one victim to place his hands inside his own pants so Dixon could smell the victim's hands afterward.
Crispen said Dixon is also alleged to have compensated minors to permit him "to rub their backs and buttocks," and to lower their pants so that he could place his face against them and smell their bodies.
Crispen also said Dixon's writings appear to say he engaged in sexual activity with an underage teen, paid for sex and transported one victim out of state.
Crispen stated he will reserve further discussion of the evidence for an executive session of Whitehall City Council behind closed doors and with Dixon excused from participation.
"[I]t is understandable that the public would be deeply concerned. These facts and allegations will, in due course, become public. While Mr. Dixon is entitled to the presumption of innocence until the case is proven in court, the evidence already gathered is substantial, and it is inevitable that the public will ultimately become aware of it," Crispen wrote.
Crispen said Whitehall City Council should be prepared for a lengthy investigation and trial process during which Dixon will continue to serve as a council member.
