An Austintown man who police say tried to meet a child for sex has died before he could be sentenced.

According to court records, 36-year-old Christopher Skarp died on September 11, one day before he was scheduled to be sentenced for attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, possessing and importuning.  The court filing did not disclose the cause of Skarp’s death.

A police report said the investigation into Skarp began in October 2023 after a tip from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Skarp was arrested at Libbee Baseball Field off West Radio Road in Austintown after an undercover officer posing as an underage teen lured him to the field.

The indictment claims that Skarp attempted to engage in sexual conduct with a person between the ages of 13 and 15.

Police first became aware of Skarp on October 12 when an internet provider reported that someone in Austintown had uploaded child pornography.