Clermont County Prosecutor announces guilty verdict against Cincinnati man in connection with 2010 missing person case
After a weeklong jury trial, Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney Mark J. Tekulve announced Monday the conviction of Jacob Bumpass of Cincinnati for his role in the disappearance of Paige Johnson.
On March 22, 2020, the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office was contacted about a human skull being located by an individual looking for deer sheds in a wooded area of Williamsburg Township, Clermont County.
Subsequently, an extensive search of the area was conducted and additional human remains were located over a three-day period. The skull was collected and sent to the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office for examination and identification.
Using a Forensic Dental Consultant, the remains were positively identified as Paige Johnson, a 17-year-old female reported missing to the Covington (Ky.) Police Department on Sept. 23, 2010.
On July 28, 2020 the investigation was presented to a Clermont County grand jury, and an indictment was returned against Jacob Bumpass for one count of abuse of a corpse, a felony of the fifth degree; and one count of tampering with evidence, a felony of the third degree.
The case this month was tried in front of Judge Miles by Assistant Prosecutors Clay Tharp and Zachary Zipperer.
“We are pleased to have been able to bring some semblance of justice to the Johnson family,” said Assistant Prosecutor Clay Tharp.
The State was able to present evidence during the trial that Bumpass was the last person seen with Johnson while she was alive. The Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office worked extensively with law enforcement from the Covington Police Department, the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.
“The massive amount of time, work and energy law enforcement officers from all three jurisdictions put into finding Paige over the last 10 years paled in comparison to the emotional toll this investigation took on everyone involved. There was no stone left unturned, and ultimately, all of the hard work paid off,” according to Assistant Prosecutor Zachary Zipperer.
“Our office is hopeful that this verdict will bring peace and closure to Donna, Brittany and all of Paige’s friends and family. While, I could not be more proud of my assistants’ work on this case, unfortunately, no amount of prison time will truly hold Bumpass accountable for all of the pain and suffering that he has caused over the last 13 years,” noted Prosecutor Tekulve.
Bumpass was taken into custody upon the jury’s verdict. Judge Miles remanded Bumpass without bond and scheduled his sentencing for Sept. 7 at 10 a.m.