Newark Man Sentenced to Over 11 Years for Violent Crimes Against Girlfriend
newark, OH – A Licking County man has been sentenced to 11 to 16 years in prison for a series of assaults, strangulations, and a kidnapping committed against his girlfriend over a two-month period. Dylan W. Hess, 32, of Newark, pleaded guilty to two counts each of felonious assault, kidnapping, and strangulation, as well as one count of intimidating a witness or victim, during a hearing on September 2, according to court records.
Judge David Branstool of the Licking County Common Pleas Court ordered Hess to serve the sentence, with credit given for 126 days already served.
The Licking County Prosecutor’s Office stated that Hess repeatedly assaulted and strangled his girlfriend,with many incidents occurring in the presence of children. the assaults often involved the use of a wooden stick,resulting in notable bruising to the victim’s body.
Hess was initially indicted by a licking County grand jury on April 2,with the crimes alleged to have taken place in March. He had previously posted a $20,000 bail following an arrest in March on a drug charge and a warrant related to a prior domestic case.
Concerns regarding Hess’s behaviour were raised by his probation officer on April 25, and by a victim’s advocate with Licking Municipal Court. According to a police complaint,the victim reported being picked up by Hess on April 27 and not returned home after requesting it.She further alleged that Hess assaulted her after she attempted to seek help, and detectives observed multiple injuries on the victim.
A superseding indictment adding the kidnapping charges was delivered by a grand jury in May. Hess initially entered a plea of not guilty before reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.
in addition to the prison sentence, Judge Branstool ordered Hess to serve two years of probation, with the possibility of up to five additional years if he violates the terms of his release. Court records also indicate Hess was found guilty of domestic violence involving the same victim in Licking County Municipal Court in august.