Toledo nurse sentenced to prison for receipt, distribution of child pornography

Zachary Ryan Balusik, 41, of Toledo, Ohio, was sentenced recently to 168 months (14 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge James R. Knepp, after Balusik pleaded guilty to receipt and distribution of child pornography.

Balusik was also sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release, $100 special assessment and ordered to pay restitution of $12,000.

According to court documents, Balusik was identified entering online chat rooms that involved streaming videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children.

On Feb. 23, 2022, a search warrant was executed at Balusik’s residence in Toledo, where electronic devices were seized and found to contain child pornography. This child pornography depicted prepubescent children.

Balusik, who was a supervisory nurse at a local hospital, admitted to investigators that he had been downloading and viewing child pornography for more than 10 years.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Toledo, Ohio. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Tangeman and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Charles Schmitz.