The Columbus sex offender tried to destroy evidence in the restroom, prosecutors say

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A registered sex offender in Columbus is facing new allegations that he traded drugs for sex acts with teenagers, and also tried to destroy evidence with his toilet.

Authorities took Terrance P. Cummings, 29, into custody Wednesday morning, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio. He faces federal charges including:

• Sexual exploitation of a minor
• Distributing or receiving child pornography
• Coercion and seduction of a minor
• Obstruction of justice

If convicted on the first two counts, Cummings could face a minimum of 35 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

The arrest comes after investigators previously searched Cummings’ apartment on an arrest warrant in August. They found multiple types of drugs and also discovered two iPhones in the water tank of a bathroom toilet. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Cummings tried to submerge and destroy them after learning of the order.

When investigators searched Cummings’ electronics and accounts, they found more than 18,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material. Prosecutors say Cummings obtained the content and sex acts by exchanging money, gifts and drugs with underage girls. The case started with a tip that Cummings was making deals with a 16-year-old in exchange for sex, according to an affidavit filed in July.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the specific drugs Cummings sold or trafficked included fentanyl, marijuana, Xanax, cocaine, acid and ecstasy. It confirmed that he had performed sexual acts with and solicited explicit content from multiple underage victims, but did not provide a number.

Cummings is already on the sex offender registry thanks to a 2016 conviction on two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, according to Franklin County Common Pleas Court records. Cummings also failed to notify law enforcement that he had changed his address in 2021, resulting in another misdemeanor conviction. And in April 2023, Cummings also pleaded guilty to a single drug trafficking charge.