Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 27, 2026
Local Landlord Convicted of Sex-Related, Racist Intimidation Sentenced 2 Years in Prison
Earlier this year Kevin Baker appeared in the Muskingum Court of Common Pleas where he plead guilty to Intimidation, a felony of the third-degree.
On June 27, 2026, Baker appeared before Judge Kelly Cottrill who sentenced Baker to two years in prison. Baker, 73, faced a maximum possible sentence of 3 years. His attorney requested probation and noted that Baker had sold all of his rental properties and was now living in a nursing home.
During the sentencing hearing Baker complained to Judge Cottrill that the case had “put him through hell.” Judge Cottrill correctly identified that the person who was victimized by the case was the victim, and that Baker was the perpetrator.
Details of the Case:
Release with additional case details: https://www.muskingumprosecutor.org/News-Events/Local-Landlord-Guilty-Of-Sex-Related-Racist-Extortion/398/
Baker’s crimes began in 2024, when he asked his female tenant to drop her rent money off to him directly at his home. When she knocked, Baker told her to come inside, where she found him naked.
During other incidents, he would show up to her home unannounced and call her in the middle of the night and ask her to come outside. Baker then filed an eviction action against her in the Zanesville Municipal Court.
He sent her a message stating that he would drop the eviction if she would provide him with an oral sex act. The victim kept the messages. Baker also told the victim, “I’m a retired cop I got pull in this town if you don’t do what I say I’m cancelling this eviction You’re just like any other [n-word] N this town you will be over looked you should hear how they talk about you down at the courthouse…”
He went on, “They don’t like your black ass I been begging you over a year too have sex with me and to [perform an oral sex act] and you still won’t your getting out my house thanks for the free rent money.”
“Baker’s behavior in this case was completely unacceptable,” said Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Litle. “Even to the end, he continued minimizing his behavior, and we are grateful that Judge Cottrill saw through his performance and held him accountable.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually extorted, intimidated, or victimized by a landlord, please report the event to law enforcement and the Fair Housing authority.
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