Sheriff Jeffery D. Paden announced that in the early morning hours of Tuesday, December 31st, 2024, Detectives from the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division, along with the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team, executed a search warrant in Old Washington, Ohio. During the execution of the search warrant, a 50-year-old male from Old Washington was taken into custody and transported to the Guernsey County Jail.
The search warrant stemmed from a sexual assault investigation that was reported to Guernsey County Sheriffs’ Deputies in early December. The report indicated that the 50-year-old suspect had sexually assaulted a juvenile victim. Deputies immediately forwarded the report to Detectives, and Det. Jeff Barton became the lead investigator.
During the investigation, Detectives learned that the sexual assault was possibly caught on camera. Detectives also learned that the suspect was likely to be in possession of firearms and narcotics, though he was disqualified from possession of firearms from previous criminal convictions. Detectives also learned that the suspect had a violent past that included several incidents involving firearms. It was reported to detectives that the suspect had anticipated law enforcement coming to speak with him and that he would make attempts to avoid being apprehended.
During the execution of the search warrant, detectives found multiple loaded firearms, suspected methamphetamines, and evidence corroborating the juvenile victim’s statements. Detectives questioned the suspect on scene and then ultimately transported to the Guernsey County Jail.
The suspect’s name is being withheld pending the filing of formal charges. Sheriff Paden praised not only Det. Jeff Barton for his diligence and work on this case but also the victim for coming forward. He stated that he is proud his agency could bring justice to the victim of these crimes.