ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — A man serving a 10-to-life prison sentence for rape has pleaded guilty to a new felony charge involving the possession of a deadly weapon while incarcerated at Ross Correctional Institution.
Kenneth E. Kaufman, 40, has been incarcerated with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction since January 27, 2006. ODRC records show Kaufman was convicted of first-degree felony rape in Belmont County and sentenced to an aggregate term of 10 years to life in prison.
While serving that sentence at Ross Correctional Institution, Kaufman was indicted in Ross County Common Pleas Court on May 1, 2026, on one count of possession of a deadly weapon while under detention, a second-degree felony.
Court records show the indictment was sent to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office for service at the prison and was served on Kaufman on May 4.
Kaufman was arraigned June 10, when the court set a $5,000 bond. The court docket specifically noted that Kaufman was being housed by ODRC and was already serving a 10-to-life sentence.
Following several months of court proceedings, Kaufman appeared for a plea hearing on August 13 and pleaded guilty to the new charge. A judgment entry of guilty was filed that day and his bond in the case was released.
Jail records show Kaufman was booked into the Ross County Jail on August 13 in connection with the deadly weapon case.
Kaufman has now spent more than 20 years incarcerated for the Belmont County rape conviction. ODRC currently lists his next Parole Board hearing or review for December 2029, with an expected release/parole eligibility date of February 1, 2030. His underlying sentence remains 10 years to life.
The Ross County case remains listed as open following the guilty plea, with further court proceedings expected regarding sentencing on the new felony conviction.
