Already Behind Bars, Ross County Man Faces New Charges Including Assault on Deputy

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ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — A man currently serving a prison sentence at London Correctional Institution is facing 11 additional criminal charges in Ross County, including felony assault, escape, and seven counts of intimidation.

James D. Seward Jr., 36, is currently incarcerated with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, where he is serving a one-year prison sentence for harassment by an inmate and vandalism.

According to state prison records, Seward was sentenced on September 4, 2026, in Ross County Common Pleas Court under case number 25CR432. Both convictions were fifth-degree felonies, and his projected release date is December 15, 2026.

Despite his current incarceration, Seward is facing additional criminal proceedings stemming from two separate cases filed in September 2026.

In the first case, filed September 4 under case number 26CR363, Seward was indicted on seven counts of intimidation, all third-degree felonies, and one count of escape, a fifth-degree felony. Court records show the escape charge was originally listed as a third-degree felony before being indicted as a fifth-degree felony.

Court documents also reveal additional warrant activity. On October 16, an order for a warrant for removal was filed, followed by the issuance of that warrant to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office on October 20.

On October 27, prosecutors requested another arrest warrant upon indictment, which was subsequently issued to the Ross County Sheriff.

A second criminal case, filed September 25 under case number 26CR384, includes three additional charges: fourth-degree felony assault, fifth-degree felony harassment with a bodily substance, and second-degree misdemeanor criminal damaging or endangering.

Under Ohio law, assault involving a law enforcement officer performing official duties can constitute a fourth-degree felony. However, the publicly available docket does not specify the circumstances surrounding Seward’s assault charge.

Court filings dated October 27 also show attorney Adam Geyer entering an appearance on Seward’s behalf, along with the filing of discovery requests and other defense documents.

Both pending criminal cases are assigned to Ross County Common Pleas Court Judge Matthew S. Schmidt, with November 10, 2026, listed as the next scheduled court date.

In total, Seward faces 10 felony charges and one misdemeanor charge across the two pending cases, separate from the convictions for which he is already incarcerated.

The new charges remain pending, and Seward is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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