Cincinnati man sentenced to prison in Highland County menacing, assault case
A Cincinnati man was sentenced to nearly three years in prison last week after pleading guilty to menacing and assault charges in Highland County Common Pleas Court.
As previously reported, Stuart Maclaughlin, 28, was indicted in February and charged with two counts of menacing by stalking, both fourth-degree felonies; assault on a peace officer, a fourth-degree felony; breaking & entering, a fifth-degree felony; and a forfeiture specification.
Maclaughlin pleaded guilty March 13 to one count of menacing by stalking; the assault on a peace officer charge; and the forfeiture specification. The remaining charges were dismissed.
The indictment alleged that between May and December 2023, Maclaughlin “did, by engaging in a pattern of conduct, knowingly cause [a victim] to believe that [Maclaughlin] will cause physical harm to [the victim] or a family or household member of [the victim] or cause mental distress to [the victim] or a family or household member of [the victim].” It is alleged that Maclaughlin “trespassed on the land or premises where [the victim] lives, is employed or attends school.”
It is further alleged that in December 2023, Maclaughlin “did knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to” a separate victim, who is “a peace officer.”
After accepting Maclaughlin’s guilty pleas, Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss sentenced him to 17 months on each count, to run consecutively, for a total of 34 months in prison. Maclaughlin had 77 days of jail time credit.
Two weapons allegedly in Maclaughlin’s possession at the time of the offense(s) were ordered to be forfeited.
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