On September 26, 2022, Bales pleaded no contest in the 52nd Circuit Court of Huron County as charged to Child Sexually Abusive Material, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000; Computers-Using to Commit a Crime, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000; and Children-Accosting for Immoral Purposes, a felony punishable by up to 4 years in prison and a fine of up to $4,000.