Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Zanesville Bully, Vandal Pleads Guilty to Menacing
Beau W. Kemp, age 18, of Zanesville, appeared before Muskingum County Common Pleas Judge Mark C. Fleegle on April 8, pleading guilty to charges of menacing by stalking.
On November 12, 2023, Kemp assaulted an individual attending a party. Kemp repeatedly punched the individual, breaking his glasses and knocking him to the ground. Kemp was captured on film kicking the individual while he laid on the ground. The individual suffered multiple bruises, scrapes, and scratches on his body, as well as a swollen black eye.
The individual told authorities that his car had been vandalized on November 10, and he suspected Kemp to be the perpetrator. The individual did not notify law enforcement out of fear of retribution from Kemp.
In an interview with investigators, Kemp admitted to vandalizing the individual’s car two days prior to the incident at the party. Kemp initially lied to investigators, saying no video footage of the fight existed, but changed his story and said a video did exist, but he had deleted it to cover up the incident at the party.
Muskingum County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Litle says he hopes prison time will help Kemp learn why assaulting other people is bad.
“Most people learn to keep their hands to themselves in kindergarten,” Litle said. “For this defendant, numerous previous court programs couldn’t teach that lesson in the past, and his victim had to suffer because of it. Maybe some time in prison will bring about a change in Mr. Kemp’s behavior.”
Kemp will be sentenced at a later date.
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