Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 3, 2023
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.
The case prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Gerald Anderson resulted in Jason Newlon being found guilty on 18 counts of rape, 10 counts of gross sexual imposition and three counts of endangering children.
The offenses came to the attention of law enforcement last year when one of the victims reported to the Zanesville Police Department that Newlon raped and molested her over the span of six years, starting when she was just 12 years old.
The victim explained to detectives that Newlon’s abuse escalated over time from inappropriate touching to oral and vaginal rape.
Two other girls reported similar experiences with Newlon, starting before the age of 10.
The victims explained to investigators how Newlon molested and raped them for years. Newlon threatened physical and emotional consequences should they report his behavior.
When the victims eventually disclosed to law enforcement, they explained that they first told members of the defendant’s family of the abuse and were encouraged to keep it private and not involve the police.
Newlon will be sentenced to life in prison and up to an additional 302 years at a later date by Judge Kelly Cottrill.
“I’d like to thank the victims for having the courage to come forward and to share their experiences as well as the jurors for paying attention to disturbing details over the course of two days and delivering justice for each victim,” Assistant Prosecutor Gerald Anderson said. “We hope this verdict can serve as a message to other victims of sexual assault that their story will be heard in Muskingum County. Our community benefits from the services of children’s advocacy centers, like Heroes Landing, which provide care and treatment for child survivors of abuse.”
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