Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Zanesville Man Pleads Guilty to Drunken Assault, Domestic Violence Charges
A Zanesville man admitted to charges of assault and domestic violence fueled by a late-night alcoholic binge.
Kolton G. Vance, age 26, of Zanesville, appeared before Muskingum County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark C. Fleegle on June 24, to enter a plea in his case.
Vance pleaded guilty to charges of felonious assault, abduction, and domestic violence.
On March 16, law enforcement responded to a domestic violence report. According to the victim, Vance came home drunk around 4:00 a.m. and demanded the victim give him her bank card and car keys.
The victim refused, and Vance hit the victim several times while attempting to take the keys from her. Vance knocked the victim to the ground and then slashed her neck with the keys. An inch-long cut was left on the victim, causing her to bleed and require stitches.
Vance’s assault also left the victim with a bruised eye.
Officers searching Vance’s house located his Outlaws MC probate patch. The Outlaws are a motorcycle group that has been legally established in Ohio as an illegal criminal gang. The gang displays patches, slogans, and colors, and exists for criminal purposes. A criminal nuisance exists in any location that permits gang members to gather or be present.
Members of the gang face increased penalties for many offenses, although such offenses do not typically include domestic violence-related crimes.
Vance will be sentenced at a later date. He faces a maximum of 12 years in prison.
Muskingum County Assistant Prosecutor John Litle says domestic abuse often accompanies other kinds of criminal behavior.
“Domestic abuse is far too common,” Litle said “In law enforcement, one thing we see constantly is the overlap between domestic violence, substance abuse, and unrelated criminality. The reasons for those associations are obvious. Substance abuse heightens emotions and limits inhibitions; while persons who are comfortable regularly breaking the law are unconcerned with the legal consequences of their acts. When these factors combine, as in this case, bad outcomes quickly follow.”
Muskingum County Prosecuting Attorney Ron Welch says domestic violence springs from the cowardice of the abuser.
“Beating a woman is the act of a small man,” Prosecutor Welch said. “Most domestic abusers would never fight another man because they are cowards. These abusers take their anger and frustration about their shortcomings out on victims who are least able to defend themselves.”
Prosecutor Welch says he hopes victims of domestic violence see that his office will work to defend them.
“Our office will continue defending victims using all the resources we have available,” Prosecutor Welch said. “Hopefully our efforts allow more victims to feel confident in coming forward to get the assistance they need.”
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