Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
ZANESVILLE MAN SENTENCED TO 32 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT OF TWO MINORS
(ZANESVILLE, OH) — A Zanesville man will spend the next 32 years in prison following his convictions in two separate cases involving the sexual abuse of two children.
On August 24, 2026, Charles B. Robinson, 55, appeared before Muskingum County Common Pleas Court Judge Kelly Cottrill for sentencing. The Court imposed consecutive prison sentences totaling 32 years, the maximum sentence available for the offenses to which Robinson pleaded guilty.
THE INVESTIGATIONS
The investigations began in 2025 after one of the children participated in a forensic interview and disclosed that Robinson had sexually assaulted her.
A second report followed shortly thereafter when an individual discovered a cellphone Robinson had secretly provided to another child. A forensic examination of that phone using Cellebrite recovered sexually explicit messages Robinson had sent to the child.
Cellebrite is digital-forensics technology used by law enforcement to collect, preserve, organize, and examine evidence contained on electronic devices such as cellphones. In this case, investigators used Cellebrite to forensically examine a specific cellphone that had been recovered during the investigation and identify evidence stored on that device.
Unlike technology designed to continuously monitor people or communications, Cellebrite’s forensic tools are used to examine digital evidence as part of an investigation. The technology does not intercept calls or messages in real time. Instead, it allows trained investigators to access and analyze digital evidence from devices in connection with an investigation.
Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Richard Perry and Tanner Morton, who led the investigation, determined that Robinson had provided the cellphone to the child in secrecy. The child also disclosed to investigators that Robinson had sexually assaulted her on more than one occasion.
THE CONVICTIONS AND SENTENCE
Robinson pleaded guilty to felony charges in two separate cases.
In case number CR2026-0269, Robinson pleaded guilty to Gross Sexual Imposition, a third-degree felony. Judge Cottrill sentenced Robinson to 60 months in prison and classified him as a Tier II sex offender, requiring him to register with the Sheriff’s Office every 180 days for 25 years.
In case number CR2026-0228, Robinson pleaded guilty to two counts of Sexual Battery, Endangering Children, and Tampering with Evidence, all felony offenses. Robinson was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in prison, 24 years of which are mandatory.
Judge Cottrill ordered the sentences in the two cases to be served consecutively, resulting in a total maximum prison sentence of 32 years.
Robinson also has an extensive criminal history dating to 1989. He is a multi-state offender with prior convictions for serious offenses including Burglary, Theft, Robbery, Aggravated Battery, and Domestic Violence.
PROSECUTOR WELCH: “THESE CHILDREN SHOWED TREMENDOUS COURAGE”
Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch emphasized both the courage demonstrated by the children and the importance of obtaining the maximum sentence without requiring them to endure the additional trauma of testifying at trial.
“These children showed tremendous courage by coming forward. Securing the maximum sentence without forcing them to describe their sexual abuse in a courtroom full of strangers, and in front of their abuser, is an important outcome.
“Their courage ensured that this offender will remain in prison until he is at least 80 years old.”
WHEN A CHILD DISCLOSES SEXUAL ABUSE
For a child, disclosing sexual abuse can be one of the most difficult and frightening things they will ever do.
Children may experience shame, embarrassment, confusion, and fear through no fault of their own. Those emotions can make finding the courage to speak about abuse extraordinarily difficult.
A child may fear that they will not be believed. They may worry that they will be blamed or that they have done something wrong. They may also fear that speaking up will hurt their family or cause unwanted changes in their own lives.
Those fears make the response of a trusted adult especially important.
Believing a child is the first step toward ensuring their safety.
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office encourages anyone trusted with such a disclosure to listen to the child, take the disclosure seriously, and allow trained professionals to properly investigate the allegations.
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