Mary Alice Reporting –
Jason Gordon was first indicted in March 2022 for a case regarding three child victims and it ended with a Monday sentencing.
The criminal case against the 32-year-old related to children, under the age of 10 at the time the offenses occurred, and charges of rape and gross sexual imposition.
The defendant entered a not guilty plea originally but changed it in July 2022, before reverting the plea back in September. Multiple competency evaluations then occurred in which Gordon was found competent to stand trial. A sanity evaluation was then filed in November 2023. A trial then occurred in April 2024, with the jury ultimately finding Gordon guilty on all counts.
At the sentence hearing, Assistant Tuscarawas County Prosecutor Kristine Beard asked for life in prison but if not, requested for him to serve at least 55 years.
“I understand he may have some trauma in his past and I’m sorry for that, but the fact remains that he is a danger to kids in our society, and honestly, he continues to put the responsibility on the victims. Takes no responsibility for what happened.”
Defense Attorney Richard Drake noted that this type of case should not have gone to trial, but Gordon executed that right through advice given, apparently, from inmates housed at the Tuscarawas County Jail.
When asked, Gordon decided to speak.
“First, I’d like to apologize to you, your honor, for wasting your time. I’d like to also apologize to detective Captain Ty Norris and Detective Willet for also wasting their time when they should be out helping other people. I’d like to also apologize to the state and Kristine Beard for wasting their time, and I’d like to apologize to the people I hurt.”
Common Pleas Court Judge Elizabeth Thomakos acknowledged that from the pre-sentence investigation, Gordon had a difficult childhood and what happened in his youth was not his fault, but it did not excuse his own actions.
“What you do to others as an adult is your responsibility and I think it would demean the seriousness of the offense and the harm caused to impose a single term. I am going to run the charges consecutive to one another.”
The aggregate term will be 55 years to life in prison. Gordon will also be listed as a Tier 3 sex offender. If he should be released by the parole board, he would be under five years of post-release control.
Gordon plans to appeal the matter.
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