Former Logan County Ohio Deputy Sheriff Det. Jon Stout Gets A Very Special Plea Deal After Relationship With A 15 Year Old Girl - No/Tiny Slap On The Wrist Forthcoming
May 12th, 2008
LOGAN COUNTY, OHIO - More than two years of legal wrangling came to an end Thursday when former Logan County Sheriff’s Detective Jon Stout, 39, pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor charge that he intended to speed while a then 15-year-old girl rode along in 2005 in his county-owned undercover car.
He admitted to one count of attempted child endangering, and in exchange, prosecutors dropped charges of interference with custody, contributing to the delinquency of minors and public indecency.
The plea came after hours of back-and-forth negotiations between defense attorney Gregg Lewis and Special Prosecutor Scott Longo.
By noon, a deal was reached, but the formal plea did not come until after 2 p.m.
Both sides feared the other would appeal whatever decision would come from a twoday trial before visiting Judge David Faulkner.
Steve Moody, the father of victim Stacy Moody, said afterward, “We’re one step closer to getting this behind us.”
The Moodys talked openly about their experiences after Thursday’s plea. Normally, the Examiner does not identify victims of alleged sex crimes.
“A misdemeanor is a misdemeanor at this point,” he added. “Even if he was convicted on all of the counts, he could have appealed it. “It isn’t worth putting her (Stacy) life on hold any longer.”
The plea prevented either side from presenting evidence, but both read into the record a synopsis of their case.
Mr. Longo said he would have presented evidence Mr. Stout admitted in an interview with a special investigator that he took the girl on extended car trips around the county, took her to dinners and lied to the parents.
Mr. Longo also intended to present evidence such as a hand-drawn birthday card in which Mr. Stout told then 16- year-old Stacy Moody she would have “a special spot in my heart.”
Mr. Longo believes the card shows an inappropriate relationship had developed between Mr. Stout and the girl.
Mr. Lewis said he was unaware of much of the state’s allegations and he intended to present evidence the Moodys conspired with a convicted criminal to frame Mr. Stout.
To that end, Mr. Lewis intended to introduce taped conversations with Joseph Rosebrook, an inmate at the Lebanon Correctional Facility serving a 10-year sentence for conspiracy to commit aggravated murder. Mr. Stout was credited with leading a racketeering investigation that led to Mr. Rosebrook’s conviction.
Mr. Rosebrook was transported from the prison to Logan County Jail in preparation for the trial.
Also listed as possible defense witnesses were:
• Joe Rosebrook Judd Jr., currently charged with conspiracy to commit murder;
• Terry Current, a confidential informant who told deputies about the murder plot; and
• Clarence T. Scott, a local man serving 19 years at the Pickaway Correctional Facility for two counts of aggravated robbery here and in Champaign County. Mr. Scott also was brought from prison to the county in case he was called to testify.
Mr. Lewis obtained information about the alleged setup after he requested digital copies of interviews and reports from an ongoing investigation led by sheriff’s Detective Keith LeVan.
Logan County Prosecutor Gerald Heaton approved the discovery request without consulting with Mr. Longo.
Mr. Moody and his wife, Audrey, said they do not know Mr. Rosebrook and never received any money to pursue a case against Mr. Stout.
Mr. Stout’s lawyers successfully fought off two sets of indictments on felony sexual battery charges, arguing before common pleas and appellate judges that prosecutors could not prove he was in a parental role when the alleged sex acts occurred in September 2005.
Mr. Stout was fired in November 2005 for violating departmental policies and insubordination. He had spent 18 years with the sheriff’s department first as a jailer, followed by 16 years as a road deputy and then detective. However, Sheriff Michael E. Henry never severed Mr. Stout’s commission as a lawman.
Mr. Stout has appealed his firing, but that appeal was on hold pending Thursday’s outcome.
His conviction on the misdemeanor charge will not disqualify him from continuing a career in law enforcement.
He will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. May 29. He faces a maximum of 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
