Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 3, 2026
Parole Hearing Scheduled for Child Rapist
(ZANESVILLE, OH -)
On December 20, 2006, Franklin L. Gassaway was indicted by a Muskingum County Grand Jury on six counts of Rape and two counts of Gross Sexual Imposition. Gassaway admitted guilt to one count of Rape on February 16, 2007, and on March 23, 2007, was sentenced to serve a life sentence with the possibility of parole after ten years. Gassaway’s only words at the time of sentencing were “I’m sorry”.
Gassaway, at the time of the crime, was sixty-six years old and his victim only four years old.
During his initial interview with detectives Gassaway denied the allegations and shifted the blame on other individuals.
Only one day following the initial interview, after speaking with his wife and pastor, he requested another interview during which he admitted guilt to “doing things” with the child but that he “didn’t rape or anything like that”. Gassaway continued his interview stating that he would watch adult pornography as well as inflict upon the child heinous acts.
Gassaway concluded his interview by fully blaming the child and stating he only did these things because the child “wanted to do this.”
Gassaway’s first hearing resulted in a blocked parole by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC). He is now scheduled in June of 2026 to appear before the ODRC Parole Board to present his case again and ask to be released from prison and placed on parole.
https://appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch/Search/Details/A547361
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office will continue to oppose the early release of Frank Gassaway until the day he dies. Our Office, by way of Victim Advocate Jessica Haug and Prosecutor Ron Welch, wrote a letter to the Parole Board detailing the facts of the case and trauma inflicted upon the victim, opposing Gassaway’s early release.
“No child should ever be put at risk of being raped by Franklin Gassaway again. Our office secured a conviction resulting in a life sentence and that is the sentence this predator should serve,” said Prosecutor Ron Welch. “Releasing Franklin Gassaway would further traumatize his victim who is still a very young lady. Justice in this case requires that the last breath Gassaway takes should be from the inside of a prison.”
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