Office of the Union County (Ohio) Prosecuting Attorney

05/08/2026

MARYSVILLE MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR MURDER OF FATHER

A Marysville man has been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, plus a consecutive prison term for the violent stabbing death of his father.

Micaiah I. Swindler, 28, pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and felonious assault for the April 21, 2025 killing of his father, Joe Swindler, inside the home they shared. Following a pre-sentence investigation, the Court imposed a sentence of life without parole for aggravated murder and a consecutive 8-to-12-year sentence for felonious assault.

Law enforcement first responded to the residence at approximately 9:13 a.m. after Joe Swindler reported that his son was agitated, spitting on him, getting in his face, and throwing his glasses. Officers learned the dispute involved Social Security money Joe received on Swindler’s behalf and which Swindler wanted to spend. Officers de-escalated the situation and left the home.

A little after 12:30 p.m. that same day, Swindler called law enforcement and told dispatchers, “I’m not gonna lie, I just killed my father.” He stated that he attacked his father with a knife and claimed that “God told [him] to.”

The investigation revealed that Swindler used a dagger and initially attacked his father by “going for the head” and aiming for “the vital spots.” He later said the dagger “wouldn’t go through” his father’s skull. During the struggle, Joe attempted to defend himself.

Swindler inflicted numerous wounds before dragging his father to the bathroom, where he delivered a fatal stab wound to the neck to “put him out of his misery.”

The autopsy revealed 36 sharp-force injuries, including stab and incised wounds to the head, neck, torso, and extremities. Several of the injuries were consistent with defensive wounds.

Swindler was charged and held in jail. During the case, he was found incompetent to stand trial after issues involving lack of medication, but he later underwent competency restoration and was restored to competency. After entering a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, Swindler was evaluated and found to have been able to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct. He stipulated to that report, withdrew his insanity plea, and pleaded guilty.

“This case is a tragedy. A family lost their father at the hands of his son,” said Union County Prosecutor David Phillips. “Joe Swindler suffered a brutal and terrifying death. The sentence imposed ensures the defendant will never again be in a position to harm another person.”

The case was investigated by the Marysville Division of Police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

04/15/2026

⚠️ PARENTS: A REAL AND GROWING THREAT TO YOUR CHILDREN ONLINE ⚠️

Parents -- have you heard of "764," "Order of Nine Angels," or "No Lives Matter"?

These groups are part of a Nihilistic Violent Extremists (NVE) movement that celebrates violence, often intending to generate chaos and societal collapse.

Law enforcement agencies are warning about a disturbing trend - these NVE groups and individuals are actively targeting children and teenagers online.

They operate in the shadows of the internet - gaming platforms, social media, chat apps, and encrypted forums - where they identify vulnerable youth and slowly pull them into dangerous ideologies. Once bonds of trust and loyalty are built, which can happen in a matter of days or even hours, perpetrators socialize, cajole, extort, and exploit the youth to commit acts of self-harm and extreme violence.

This is not hypothetical. It is happening across the country.

The FBI has information for parents here:
https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/boston/news/fbi-boston-warns-of-nihilistic-violent-extremists-targeting-children-and-vulnerable-victims-online/

And NCITE has published a research report on NVEs:
https://www.unomaha.edu/ncite/news/2025/12/img/prosecuting-nve-report.pdf

04/15/2026

Please join us in congratulating our felony victim advocate, Cory Hamilton.

Cory, who leads our Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) was honored by HelpLine for her exceptional work on behalf of victims. This recognition reflects what we see every day: unwavering professionalism, compassion under pressure, and a relentless commitment to those navigating some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Through SART, she brings together law enforcement, medical providers, and advocacy services to ensure that victims of s*xual assault are treated with dignity, respect, and care from the very first report. Her work assists victims through the entire judicial process, making sure they are heard, supported, and never alone.

This honor is well-earned, and we are proud to have her leading this critical effort.

Please join us in congratulating her on this recognition and thanking her for the difference she makes every single day.

https://helplinedelmor.org/

04/12/2026

04/10/2026

MARYSVILLE MAN SENTENCED TO 12–13 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL OFFENSES

A Marysville man has been sentenced to an indefinite prison term of 12 to 13 years after an investigation revealed his involvement in downloading and sharing child s*xual abuse material.

Ashley M. Parker, 45, pleaded guilty to 17 counts of Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor, felonies of the second degree in the Common Pleas Court. Following a pre-sentence investigation, Parker was sentenced to an indefinite prison term of 12 to 13 years.

This case began with a cyber-tip reported through the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Investigators traced online activity involving the upload and distribution of explicit material depicting young children back to the defendant at a Marysville residence. As the investigation expanded, additional cyber-tips and digital evidence confirmed ongoing conduct involving multiple files. Marysville Police executed search warrants to seize evidence at Parker's home.

The material in this case depicted the s*xual abuse of very young children. These are not abstract offenses- they represent real victims, real abuse, and lasting trauma. Every image or video is a permanent record of that harm, and every download or share perpetuates it.

Law enforcement agencies are not passively waiting for these cases to surface. Through coordinated efforts with ICAC, NCMEC, and electronic service providers, investigators are proactively identifying individuals who possess, distribute, or attempt to access this material. Digital footprints including IP addresses, account data, and device identifiers are routinely traced back to offenders.

Those who download or share child s*xual abuse material will be found. There is no anonymity in these offenses, and there is no tolerance for the exploitation of children.

This sentence reflects both the seriousness of the conduct and the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to protect children and hold offenders accountable. The work of the Marysville Police Department and ICAC investigators was critical in bringing this case forward and stopping further victimization.

04/09/2026

PLAIN CITY MAN SENTENCED FOR ILLEGALLY FILMING MINOR

A Plain City man has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after secretly recording a minor in a bathroom.

Robert Ashley Parks, 44, of Plain City, was sentenced to an indefinite prison term of 14 to 16 years after pleading guilty to twenty counts of Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity-Oriented Material, each a felony of the second degree.

The investigation revealed that Parks concealed a phone in a bathroom to record a teenage victim while the child was undressed and showering. The device was later discovered and turned over to law enforcement. Officers obtained a search warrant for the phone, which led to the recovery of twenty separate videos depicting the minor.

During an interview with investigators, Parks admitted to making the recordings but attempted to justify his conduct by claiming he was checking the teen for signs of self-harm.

Parks was indicted by the Union County Grand Jury and ultimately entered guilty pleas to twenty counts. He waived a presentence investigation and agreed to a jointly recommended sentence, which the Court imposed.

Following his release from prison, Parks will be required to register as a s*x offender for 25 years.

“This case involved a calculated and deeply invasive violation of a child’s privacy,” said Prosecutor David Phillips. “The defendant’s actions were deliberate, predatory, and criminal. This sentence ensures accountability and removes him from the community.”

The case was investigated by the Plain City Police Department, with assistance from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Computer Crimes Unit.

04/06/2026

WEST VIRGINIA WOMAN SENTENCED TO PRISON ON UNION COUNTY DRUG CHARGES

Lynn Sue Tucker, 58, of Charleston, West Virginia, has been sentenced to prison for transporting co***ne and fentanyl through Union County.

The case began when a Union County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle on U.S. 33 for a traffic violation. Before the stop, deputies observed the occupants throw an item from the vehicle as law enforcement followed behind.

After the stop, Tucker gave deputies a false identity. Deputies later obtained consent to search the vehicle and discovered drug paraphernalia and illegal narcotics. Investigators also recovered the bag that had been thrown from the vehicle, which contained fentanyl. Additional investigation established that Tucker and her passenger, Michelle Saunders, were transporting co***ne as well.

Based on the pair’s travel route, investigators believed Tucker and Saunders may have been acting as drug couriers.

Tucker was sentenced to a mandatory indefinite prison term of 4 to 6 years and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine after being convicted of possession of co***ne and possession of fentanyl. Saunders was sentenced last year. Tucker’s sentencing had been delayed because of a number of health issues.

04/06/2026

MAN SENTENCED TO 58–63 1/2 YEARS FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OF MARYSVILLE POLICE SERGEANT

A Marysville man who opened fire on police officers and attempted to kill a Marysville Police Sergeant has been sentenced to decades in prison.

Dustin Ohm, 30, of Marysville, was sentenced Friday in the Union County Court of Common Pleas after pleading guilty to Attempted Aggravated Murder, three counts of Felonious Assault, and additional related charges stemming from a violent shooting on May 30, 2025.

The incident began as a domestic dispute. Officers then found Ohm, impaired, in his truck. When a Marysville Police Sergeant attempted to stop Ohm from operating his vehicle while impaired. Ohm responded by firing three rounds at the Sergeant at close range. He then turned his weapon on three additional Marysville police officers, firing multiple rounds before fleeing the scene.

As he fled, Ohm crashed into several vehicles, including neighbors’ cars and a police cruiser, causing significant damage before driving onto U.S. 33. Deputies pursued Ohm until he stopped in the median of the highway. Even then, Ohm exited his vehicle armed and refused repeated commands to surrender. A deputy discharged his weapon, striking Ohm, who then shot himself in the neck. Officers immediately rendered life-saving aid until emergency medical personnel arrived.

The courtroom was filled with law enforcement officers and deputies who attended in support of the officers targeted in the attack.

Judge Don Fraser sentenced Ohm to 58 to 63 1/2 years in prison, citing his extensive juvenile and adult criminal history, including a prior assault on a police officer, as well as the fact that Ohm was on Community Control at the time of the offenses. The Court further found that Ohm did not demonstrate genuine remorse and was likely to reoffend.

The judge read from the pre-sentence report that, "the Defendant has an extensive and violent criminal history with an ORAS score of 35, indicating a very HIGH risk of recidivism. The defendant has been provided many opportunities by the Courts to modify his criminal behavior. However, all attempts have proven futile." The presentence investigator recommended a maximum sentence.

“This defendant attempted to murder a police officer and unleashed gunfire at multiple officers in our community,” said Union County Prosecuting Attorney David Phillips. “This sentence reflects the extreme danger of his conduct and ensures he will not be in a position to threaten law enforcement or the public again for decades.”

(Court photos credit Marysville Journal-Tribune)

03/31/2026

SECOND CHANCE WASTED: DRUG OFFENDER LOSES APPEAL AND GOES TO PRISON

Most people given a second chance to stay out of prison would take it seriously. Michael Lee Ross did not.

Ross was convicted of drug-related crimes in 2024 and was given five years of Community Control instead of an immediate prison sentence. That was his opportunity to straighten up, comply with the law, and avoid prison.

He chose otherwise.

Community Control is not a free pass. It comes with strict conditions designed to rehabilitate offenders and protect the public. Those conditions often include treatment, abstaining from illegal drug use, and avoiding criminal associates.

Ross ignored those conditions. Adult probation officers discovered messages on his cell phone consistent with drug trafficking activity. A violation was filed, and Ross denied it.

After a hearing, the trial court found that Ross had violated the terms of his Community Control and imposed the previously reserved 41-month prison sentence.

Ross appealed, arguing the evidence was insufficient.

Recently, the Third District Court of Appeals unanimously rejected that claim. The appellate court found that it “was readily apparent Ross was continuing in his illicit drug activity and therefore associating with people who have a criminal background.”

Ross’s conduct did not stop there. In 2025, he was convicted in Franklin County of Having Weapons Under Disability. Because of his prior drug convictions, Ross was prohibited from possessing fi****ms. He received a 1.5-year prison sentence in that case, to be served concurrently with the Union County sentence. The firearm he possessed, a G***k .22 caliber pistol, was ordered forfeited and destroyed.

Second chances matter. But when an offender refuses to change, the system must respond.

https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/3/2026/2026-Ohio-989.pdf