
Drug-dealing fugitive sentenced after three years on the run
A Newark man was sentenced to 11 years in prison today after evading authorities for three years.

Visiting judge gives convicted child murderer chance for parole with new sentence
A visiting judge from Cuyahoga County imposed a new sentence of life with the possibility of parole after 20 years for a college mother convicted of murdering her newborn baby after the Supreme Court of Ohio vacated Emile Weaver's life without parole sen

Zanesville man who lied to grand jury convicted of perjury
A Muskingum County jury found Wayne Gheen, 40, of Zanesville, guilty of perjury Tuesday afternoon after hearing from Det. Randy Wilson in a case presented by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Gerald Anderson.

Ohio county prosecutors urge a 'no' vote on Issue 2
The Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, the professional association for Ohio’s 88 county prosecutors, urged Ohioans to oppose Issue 2 at the ballot box next Tuesday or face new burdens and costs to county governments already stretched thin. Issue 2

Supreme Court declines jurisdiction in appeals case
A Muskingum County case involving the prosecution and conviction of a mother who injected herself with fentanyl in the hospital parking lot on her way to deliver her child will not move forward after the Supreme Court of Ohio decided not to hear the case

Zanesville man sentenced to 50 years after withdrawing plea
In July of this year, Jermaine Thorpe, 43, of Zanesville, appeared in the Muskingum County Common Pleas Court to plead guilty to numerous felonies from an Easter evening drive-by shooting

Dresden man sentenced for sexually abusing child
A 59-year-old Dresden man was sentenced to 17-and-a-half to 22-and-a-half years in prison for sexually abusing a child.

Appeals Court upholds life sentence of Zanesville rapist
The Fifth District Court of Appeals upheld the life sentence of a Zanesville man who was convicted during a trial last year of raping a young child.

100 years of prison for drug operation, woman pleads guilty for the second time in conspiracy
A 26-year-old Zanesville woman pleaded guilty for a second time to charges related to her role in a local drug-dealing conspiracy.

Adamsville man sentenced following prom night sexual imposition
Jesse Baker, 45, of Adamsville was sentenced to 60 days in jail and 15 years of sexual offender registration following his conviction for sexual imposition Friday morning.

DV coalition recognizes Prosecutor Welch, office for support during Walk a Mile event
Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch and his office were recognized for their ongoing advocacy and support for victims of domestic violence during the Transitions Shelter Walk a Mile in my Shoes event.

Prosecutor's Office supports Heroes Landing at annual golf outing
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office is a proud supporter of Heroes Landing Children’s Justice Center.

Dresden man gets life for raping children
A 41-year-old Dresden man convicted by jurors on 31 counts related to the ongoing sexual abuse of three children was sentenced to prison Monday.

Zanesville man sentenced to life in prison for murder of Timothy Norris
Cody Moody, a Zanesville man charged in the murder of Timothy Norris, was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday morning.

Zanesville man pleads guilty as charged in abduction case
A 43-year-old Zanesville pleaded guilty as charged to two third-degree felony counts of abduction and two first-degree misdemeanor counts of endangering children Monday morning in Common Pleas Court.

Prosecutor's Office wears purple in support of Overdose Awareness Week
Members of the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office wore purple Thursday in support of overdose awareness efforts in the community.

Prosecutor Welch supports MBH school-aged drug education programming
Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch is pleased to once again support Muskingum Behavioral Health (MBH) with their school-aged drug education programming.

Prosecutor’s Office secures grant for crime prevention programming, technology
Last year the Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch submitted a grant proposal to the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services for purposes of addressing violent crime and some of its causes.

Local men plead guilty to sex crimes involving children
On Wednesday, three local men pleaded guilty to sex crimes involving children.

Man sentenced to prison for bar attack
Brandon Cummings, 34, of Zanesville appeared in front of Judge Kelly Cottrill last week to receive his sentence on one count of aggravated assault, a felony of the fourth degree, related to his attack on a patron in a local bar.

Parents of baby who died of overdose sentenced to prison
The parents of a 9-month old baby who died of an overdose have been sentenced to prison.

Repeat sexual offender sentenced for raping minor
A 50-year-old repeat sexual offender from Zanesville received an additional prison sentence Wednesday after pleading guilty in a rape case involving a minor.

Muskingum County Budget Commission
Debra J. Nye, Muskingum County Auditor, has announced the Muskingum County Budget Commission will be meeting on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 10:00am through the end of the 2023 calendar year excluding the months of October and December.

Jurors convict child rapist for years of sexual abuse
Jurors in Muskingum County convicted a 41-year-old Dresden man on 31 counts related to the ongoing sexual abuse of three children.

Repeat drug offender charged for hiding drugs on children
Detectives with the Zanesville / Muskingum County Joint Drug Unit and the CODE Task Force arrested a repeat drug offender Monday afternoon for her latest criminal activity, this time involving children

Zanesville man faces life sentence for murder of Timothy Norris
A Zanesville man charged in the shooting death of Timothy Norris pleaded guilty to aggravated murder with a firearm specification on Wednesday morning

Thorpe pleads guilty in Easter drive-by shooting involving child victim
A 43-year-old man from Zanesville pleaded guilty in common pleas court Wednesday to four second-degree felony counts of felonious assault after shooting at a car full of people, including one child, on Easter Sunday.

Theft ring organizer pleads guilty to felony crimes
Days after a jury convicted Juliana Washington of 41 counts related to a regional theft conspiracy, co-defendant and lead conspirator Keith Taylor pleaded guilty to his part Monday in common pleas court.

Jury convicts woman for part in regional theft scheme
After three days of trial led by Muskingum County Assistant Prosecutor Molly Martin, jurors returned 41 guilty verdicts against Juliana Washington, one of several participants in a regional theft ring.

Zanesville man gets 2 decades for car theft spree
A 27-year-old Zanesville man who led local law enforcement on a dangerous pursuit during a spree of car thefts received prison time Monday in common pleas court.

Crooksville man sentenced to prison for seriously injuring another in crash
A 22-year-old Crooksville man received a prison sentence Tuesday for the life-threatening injuries he caused his passenger when he crashed into a West Muskingum school bus at a dangerous rate of speed in September.

Columbus drug dealer sentenced in Zanesville case
A 29-year-old drug dealer from Columbus who brought his operation to Zanesville received a maximum sentence of 11 years in prison Wednesday.

Man sentenced for dealing drugs to Dresden mother who overdosed in presence of baby
A Zanesville man received a prison sentence of eight to 12 years in relation to the death of a new mother in Dresden.

Cambridge men sentenced in New Year's shooting at Lazy River Lounge
Four men from Cambridge who terrorized a New Year’s Eve party at a criminal bar in Zanesville with guns and violence received their prison sentences in Judge Mark Fleegle’s Court.

Major drug offender gets maximum prison sentence
A Zanesville drug supplier received the maximum prison sentence of 14 years last week after pleading guilty to major drug offender level offenses.

Prosecutor's Office empowers young women to defend selves from sexual assault
Dozens of area high school senior girls joined the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office at The Fieldhouse for a day of sexual assault awareness and self-defense training, organized by Office Manager and former Victim Advocate, Sacha Daniels.
Assistant Prosecutor Anderson shares experiences prosecuting sexual assault to empower survivors
Muskingum County Assistant Prosecutor Gerald Anderson shared his experiences working with and fighting for survivors of sexual assault during Tuesday’s awareness event at Zane State College.

Drug dealer sentenced following overdose death
A Zanesville drug dealer whose sales contributed to the death of another man received a maximum prison sentence of nine to 12 years Monday morning.

Prosecutor's Office beautifies former neighborhood nuisance property
Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch, joined by his staff of attorneys, paralegals and professionals volunteered Wednesday to plant seeds for grass and wildflowers on a vacant lot at 753 Putnam Ave.
Child rapist convicted at trial sentenced to life without parole
A 37-year-old Somerset man will serve three life sentences in prison without parole, in addition to a fourth life sentence, after Muskingum County jurors convicted him of repeatedly raping two children for several years.
Zanesville couple sentenced to prison for child abuse
A Zanesville couple was sentenced to a combined 18 years in prison this week for child abuse.
Motorcycle club member sentenced for acts of violence
A 37-year-old Zanesville man with a violent criminal record was sentenced to prison Monday in connection to the abduction and assault of two victims.
Child rapist convicted at trial, will get life without parole
A 37-year old Somerset man will serve a life sentence in prison without parole after jurors in Muskingum County convicted him of repeatedly raping two children for several years.

Understanding domestic violence prosecution in Muskingum County
Domestic Violence cases are some of the most difficult and oftentimes frustrating matters handled by the prosecutor’s office.

Felony charges filed following Zanesville child abduction
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges Friday against Thomas Pritchard of Zanesville in relation to an Amber Alert issued Thursday evening involving the abduction of two young children from Muskingum County.

Grand Jury indicts Franklin Grayson on 14 felonies tied to Muskingum shooting
The Muskingum County Grand Jury indicted 26-year-old Franklin Grayson of Jacksonville, Florida in connection to the March 17 shooting at Muskingum University in which the defendant shot a baseball player from Olivet College multiple times following the g

Judge continues Muskingum University shooter's bond
Franklin Grayson, the 26-year-old man charged in the March 17 shooting at Muskingum University, appeared in court for the first time Tuesday morning.

Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office files initial charges in Muskingum University shooting
The Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office has filed initial charges related to a shooting that occurred at Muskingum University following a March 17th baseball game with Olivet College in Michigan.

Woman sentenced for providing drugs in overdose death case
A 28-year-old Guernsey County woman received a prison sentence of eight to 12 years Wednesday in the overdose death of 44-year-old Andy Marshall.

Discouraging sexual assault trials are no deterrent to aggressive prosecution
During the first week of March, the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office proceeded to trial on two separate cases of child sexual abuse in front of two separate juries.

Child rapist gets consecutive life sentences
A 52-year-old Zanesville man received two consecutive life sentences without parole Monday on child rape charges.

Registered Mississippi sex offender pleads guilty in Zanesville fatal overdose case
A Zanesville drug dealer whose sales contributed to the death of another man pleaded guilty to several charges in Common Pleas Court Friday.
Parents of 3 plead guilty to child abuse charges
The parents of three Zanesville children pleaded guilty this week to charges of child abuse.
Columbus men get 20 years for summer shooting
Two Columbus area men received 20-year prison sentences Tuesday in connection to a shooting last summer

Man convicted for role in Lazy River Lounge shooting incident
A 23-year-old Zanesville man who brought a gun into the Lazy River Lounge the night of a shooting in August was convicted of inducing panic and illegal possession of a firearm in a liquor permit premise Thursday afternoon.

Major drug dealer sentenced to 20 years in prison
A 44-year-old Zanesville man was sentenced to 20 years in prison as a major drug offender for crimes he committed in Muskingum County.

Zanesville woman gets maximum sentence for aggravated vehicular homicide in death of Alex King
A Zanesville woman who killed a man during a drunken night of partying received her sentence of 10 to 13 years in prison Monday morning.

Prosecutor's Office supports recovery community during dodgeball tournament
Members of the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s showed their support for the recovery community during this year’s First Responders vs. Second Chancers dodgeball tournament sponsored by Drug Free Muskingum.

Zanesville man faces life in prison for raping toddler
A 52-year-old Zanesville man faces life in prison for raping a toddler and possessing thousands of images involving the sexual abuse of children.

Man convicted of sexually assaulting child sentenced to prison
Nathan Keen, a 35-year-old Zanesville man convicted at trial of repeatedly sexually assaulting a child, was sentenced to 13 years in prison Wednesday morning.

Zanesville parolee convicted, sentenced to prison for new felony
On Thursday, a jury of 10 men and two women convened in Judge Mark Fleegle’s courtroom to hear the case of Joseph Roth.

Drug dealer gets maximum sentence for causing overdose death
A Nashport man received a prison sentence Wednesday morning for contributing to a Zanesville man’s fatal overdose this past summer.

Drug dealer gets max sentence following overdose of high school student
A Nashport drug dealer charged in the 2021 death of a local high school student received a maximum sentence of eight years in prison Monday.
Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office begins new year with back-to-back guilty verdicts
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office began the new year with back-to-back guilty verdicts this week under the lead of Assistant Prosecutor Gerald Anderson.

Zanesville woman pleads guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide in the death of Alex King
A Zanesville woman who drunkenly killed 30 year-old Alex King with her car changed her plea in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court Thursday.

Drug dealer behind multi-victim overdose sentenced to prison
A Zanesville man who sold cocaine laced with fentanyl that resulted in a multi-victim overdose involving five victims was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Wednesday.
Prosecutor's Office awards students for anti-drug initiatives
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office awarded three local essay contest winners with checks to fund drug awareness and prevention programming at their respective high schools.

Prosecutor Welch shares Christmas classic with West M kindergartners
Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch spent his Monday morning with a classroom full of kindergartners reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Jurors convict Zanesville man of attempted raping of child
A 35-year-old Zanesville man faces prison after jurors in Muskingum County convicted him last week on all charges related to the repeated sexual abuse of a child.

Student that murdered newborn given another chance to avoid life without parole
The Ohio Supreme Court issued a decision Thursday granting a new sentencing hearing for a former Muskingum University student who murdered her newborn daughter in 2015.

Nashport man pleads guilty in high school student's overdose death
A Nashport man charged in the 2021 death of a local high school student pleaded guilty to a prosecutor’s bill of information containing one second-degree felony count of corrupting another with drugs.
Co-defendant pleads guilty in mass overdose case
A second Zanesville man pleaded guilty in Common Pleas Court Monday to charges related to a mass overdose earlier this year.

Zanesville man pleads guilty for role in mass overdose
Garland Lewis appeared in Judge Fleegle’s court Monday morning to plead guilty to five counts of corrupting with drugs.

Zanesville repeat drug trafficker sentenced to up to 3 decades in prison
A Zanesville man convicted by jurors as a major drug dealer was sentenced by Judge Kelly Cottrill to up to three decades in prison for his crimes.

Zanesville man sentenced to prison for series of car break-ins
The Zanesville man responsible a series of car break-ins on the city’s north end that had residents on edge for months will spend the next five years in prison for his crimes.

Former Dresden officer sentenced to prison for crimes committed behind badge
A former Dresden police officer was sentenced to four years in prison and must surrender his police certification for the crimes he committed while wearing his badge.

Muskingum County backs State Issue One
Muskingum County welcomed the Vote Yes on State Issue One Tour Bus to promote the importance of voting yes to keep communities safe

Man sentenced to decade in prison for drunken crash with children
Saalih Abdullah Tawwab El Muhammed, 38, of Cleveland, appeared in front of Judge Mark Fleegle in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court Monday to answer for charges related to a July traffic crash on Interstate 70.

Career criminal sentenced to 20 years on most recent drug bust
On Friday morning, Rodriquez S. Hampton appeared with his attorney, Joseph Landusky, before Judge Kelly Cottrill, where he agreed to a sentence of more than 20 years for his most recent run-in with the law.

Zanesville fugitive convicted by jury
One dozen jurors in Muskingum County heard testimony for around five hours Thursday before returning a verdict of guilty as charged against Jay Arnold for recklessly fleeing from the police in 2016 in a car that was reported stolen.

15 charged for defrauding taxpayers more than $250,000 in welfare benefits
More than a dozen Muskingum County residents accused of defrauding federal and state food, childcare, and Medicaid benefits programs are facing the consequences after being indicted by the Muskingum County Grand Jury.

Former football standout sentenced after bringing drugs to Muskingum County for sale
Marcus McAlister, of Akron, faced Judge Kelly Cottrill Wednesday morning for sentencing on one count of trafficking in methamphetamine, and one count of trafficking in fentanyl.

Woman pleads guilty in overdose death of Zanesville man
A 28-year-old Guernsey County woman pleaded guilty to her part in a Zanesville man’s overdose death last month.

Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office walks against domestic violence
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office is proud to support the Transitions Shelter Walk a Mile in my Shoes walk event for the eighth year in a row through financial donations and participation.

Man Sentenced for poisoning child with fentanyl
Trey Stevens entered the courtroom of Judge Mark Fleegle Wednesday morning to plead guilty to one count of corrupting another with drugs and one count of child endangering

Former bail bonds agent sentenced to prison
A former bond agent from Cambridge appeared in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court last week to answer to more than 100 crimes she committed as a trusted partner of the justice system and begin her prison sentence.

Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office launches Diversion Program
The Muskingum County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is implementing its newly developed Diversion and Rehabilitation Treatment program, otherwise known as DART.

Jurors convict Zanesville man on major drug offender charges
Jurors in Muskingum County convicted a Zanesville man on drug trafficking charges during a trial in Judge Kelly Cottrill’s court this week.

Drug dealer faces nearly 20 years in prison for possessing drugs, weapons
A local drug dealer faces a maximum of nearly 20 years in prison after changing his plea in common pleas court Monday.

Man responsible for friend’s overdose death sentenced to prison
A Zanesville man who provided a 25-year-old he claimed to be his friend with drugs that killed him will spend the next 10 to 15 years in prison for the crime.

Jury convicts man who left another unconscious with a brain bleed
At the conclusion of a one-day trial in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court, jurors convicted 50-year-old Chad Chapman of felonious assault for the brutal attack of another man.

Dresden man sentenced to decade in prison for molesting young child
The Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office successfully argued for the maximum sentence for a child molester in court Monday.

Jurors convict man representing himself at trial
At the conclusion of a two-day trial in common pleas court this week, jurors deliberated for less than 20 minutes before finding Brandon Hultgren guilty as charged of two counts of felonious assault.

Parents prosecuted for providing children with drugs
Four parents in Muskingum County are charged in Common Pleas Court for providing drugs to children.

Zanesville man sentenced to prison for bar riot
A Zanesville man at the center of two separate drug-related disturbances involving firearms at local bars was sentenced to prison Tuesday.

Man sentenced to at least 15 years for possessing child sexual abuse materials, weapon
A 35-year-old Zanesville man was sentenced to 15 to 18-and-a-half years in prison for possessing child sexual abuse materials and a weapon while under disability.

Child rapist convicted by jury
At the conclusion of a three-day trial handled by Assistant Prosecutor Gerald Anderson, jurors convicted a Zanesville man on all counts related to the sexual assaults of two girls over the course of five years.

Zanesville man pleads guilty in friend’s overdose death
A Zanesville man who provided his friend, 25-year-old Timothy Corder, with the drugs that killed him faces up to 17-and-a-half years in prison for Corder’s overdose death last July.

Child rapist sentenced to life without parole, plus 14 years
A child rapist will serve life in prison without parole, plus 14 years for raping a young girl. Last month, jurors in Muskingum County convicted Joshua Carbaugh, 31, on charges of rape with a sexually violent predator specification and gross sexual impos

Man sentenced to prison for kidnapping baby in attempt to infect her with herpes
A Chandlersville man was sentenced to seven to 10-and-a-half years in prison Monday for holding an infant down and putting the fluid from a herpes lesion into her mouth.

Community sees justice in action during Heroes Landing open house
Members of the community had the chance to tour Heroes Landing, Muskingum County’s first children’s justice center, and learn about the programs and resources the center has to offer during an open house Wednesday.

Parents sentence to prison in separate cases of providing drugs to children
Two separate parents appeared in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court this week to receive their prison sentence for providing drugs to children.

Newark woman sentenced to prison for man’s death
A Newark woman was sentenced to prison Monday for complicity in her boyfriend’s death in a high-speed crash by encouraging him to flee from police.

Dresden man convicted of molesting young child
A Dresden man who groomed and molested a young child he was trusted with caring for faces prison after jurors convicted him of a sex crime last week.

Muskingum County Murder Statistics
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office has started several new initiatives in hopes of providing citizens with more information, more transparency and a better understanding of the criminal justice system.

Zanesville man sentenced to prison for terrorizing woman
A Zanesville man will spend the next 14 to 19 years in prison for torturing a woman throughout the course of a day while threatening to end her life.