MORROW COUNTY, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—A Morrow County jury found Jeremy Ashba guilty of gross sexual imposition, a fourth-degree felony, on August 12, 2026, following a three-day trial. Ashba was remanded into custody immediately following the verdict.

The case began after the victim, the daughter of Ashba’s fiancée, reported the abuse to local authorities. The disclosure followed a school presentation regarding sexual assault, consent, and dating violence.

An investigation led by Mount Gilead Police Detective Sergeant Beekman revealed a pattern of abuse occurring between early March and April 7, 2026. According to testimony provided at trial, Ashba’s conduct escalated from inappropriate physical contact to the victim’s bedroom, where he would enter between 2:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m., hold the victim down, and forcibly touch her. The victim testified that the abuse continued until April 7, when she physically defended herself, leading to the involvement of law enforcement.

While the defendant was initially charged with three counts of gross sexual imposition, the court dismissed two counts prior to jury deliberations, citing insufficient evidence to prove the actions were committed for the purpose of sexual gratification.

Prosecutor Andrew Wick and Assistant Prosecutor Alicia Lentz represented the state during the trial. Prosecutor Wick praised the victim’s courage in coming forward despite the difficult circumstances within her family.

“Being a teenager has never been easy, but this young woman endured something no child should ever have to experience,” Wick said. “She was placed in an extraordinarily difficult position involving people she trusted and viewed as parental figures. Through this young woman’s courage, intuition, and decision to record certain events, she helped ensure that the count the jury was permitted to consider resulted in her abuser being convicted and facing prison time. The Morrow County Prosecutor’s Office will be seeking the maximum sentence permitted by law.”

Sentencing for Ashba is scheduled for October 19, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Marion County Now will continue to cover this developing story.