BARBERTON, Ohio — Former Ohio state Rep. Bob Young was sentenced to two years of probation in Barberton Municipal Court on Friday after being found guilty last year in a domestic violence case involving his wife.
Visiting Judge Edward O'Farrell ordered the 42-year-old Young to have one year of supervised "community control sanctions" and one year of non-supervision. As part of his probation, Young is forbidden to drink alcohol and has been prohibited from entering bars and liquor stores. He must also perform 250 hours of community service.
The sentencing comes months after Young was found guilty of one count domestic violence and three counts of violating a protective order. He was acquitted, however, on a charge of assault connected to his brother.
Prior to Friday's sentencing, Prosecutor Jennifer Roberts expressed concern about Young's ability to follow court orders, claiming the former state representative tampered with his SCRAM alcohol monitoring ankle bracelet on five separate occasions in the 45 days leading up to sentencing.
"The state has concerns about his (Young) acceptance of responsibility, about his remorse for the actions that facilitated these charges coming forward," she told O'Farrell.
Young said his monitor is malfunctioning and claimed he hasn't been drinking. He will continue to wear a SCRAM monitor as part of his sentence.
"I wasn't my best self," Young admitted to O'Farrell in a statement prior to his sentencing. "If we could get do-overs, things would be different. I accept responsiblity for my bad actions."
Should Young violate any part of his probation, he could potentially face a punishment of two years in jail.
You can watch Friday's sentencing in the below video.
Young was indicted in July 2023 on domestic violence and assault charges after he allegedly struck his wife in the face and threw her phone in their pool to prevent her from calling 911. When she sought safe haven at Young’s brother’s home, Young followed her and charged at his brother after he refused to let him inside, resulting in a shattered glass door and injuries to both men, authorities have said.
Young’s wife testified against him during his daylong trial, telling the court that Young struck her in the face so hard she could not hear out of one of her ears. She also said she was afraid to call 911 because she fears her husband.
When questioned, Young denied intentionally hitting his wife. You can watch his testimony below.
He was arrested for a second time in late August on allegations that he violated a protective order by leaving multiple voicemails for his wife and a third time on stalking charges in September for placing a GPS tracking device on a relative’s car.
When details of the case first surfaced, Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens was among those quickly calling for Young's resignation. He ultimately resigned on Oct. 2.
According to his bio, which has since been removed from the Ohio House of Representatives site, Young was serving his second term for the 32nd House District, which includes southern portions of Summit County.
The Associated Press contributed to this story
Here's a wrap up of the case from 3News' Kaitor Kay after Young was found guilty:
PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF THE CASE...
- Former Ohio Rep. Bob Young found guilty of domestic violence, acquitted of assault
- Trial for former Ohio Rep. Bob Young wraps up in Barberton
- Ohio state Rep. Bob Young charged with menacing, violating protection order in Barberton Municipal Court
- Ohio Rep. Bob Young announces resignation following domestic violence arrest, violation of protection order
- Gov. Mike DeWine, 34 Ohio House Republicans call for Rep. Bob Young to resign following multiple arrests