An Ohio man faces additional charges after allegedly shooting a man accused of sexually assaulting his 11-year-old daughter. Malik Chandler, 31, has been charged with felony assault and using a weapon while under disability, according to court records. The latter charge carries a potential additional prison sentence of up to 18 years.
Chandler was banned from possessing a firearm in Ohio following a 2010 felony burglary conviction he received as a minor. The Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office confirmed this prior conviction led to the "under disability" specification being added to his current charges.
Without the weapons charge, Chandler could have faced up to 12 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, based on Ohio sentencing guidelines. He pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment. His family posted a $10,000 bond, and he was placed on electronic monitoring as a condition of his release. He was also ordered to stay away from the alleged victim and his family.
Prosecutors allege that Chandler lured Diego Montoya Gonzalez, 20, to his Grove City home last month by pretending to be his daughter on TikTok. Chandler's initial intention, according to reports, was to beat Montoya Gonzalez, hold him, and then call the police. However, the plan escalated when Chandler believed Montoya Gonzalez was reaching for a gun.
Chandler then allegedly retrieved his own firearm from a counter and fired, striking Montoya Gonzalez twice. When law enforcement arrived, they found Montoya Gonzalez seated with two gunshot wounds and transported him to Grant Medical Center in Columbus for treatment.
Montoya Gonzalez has since been indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges, including five counts of pandering sexually oriented material, two counts of rape, and one count of obstruction of official business. Prosecutors stated that several videos depicting child sexual abuse, including one involving an infant, were found on his phone.
During his arraignment, Montoya Gonzalez also pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was released on a combined $70,000 bond, but jail records indicate he was arrested again the following day on felony breaking and entering and theft charges. The details of this subsequent incident were not immediately clear.
Chandler's mother defended her son's actions, stating, "I know why he did it, because that guy sexually assaulted my granddaughter – he raped my granddaughter." She emphasized the age difference between Montoya Gonzalez and her granddaughter, noting the victim was not of legal age for consent. When asked if she believed Chandler would act similarly again, she replied, "I would hope so."