Muskingum County man's appeal on child rape convictions overruled, will serve life in prison

ZANESVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) – A conviction for a Muskingum County man who was sentenced to life in prison for raping three children over the course of several years was upheld in court.

According to the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office, Jason Newlon, of Dresden will serve life in prison – with parole eligibility after 61 years – after being found guilty after a jury trial on 31 total charges related to the sexual assault of children.

Newlon’s legal team filed an appeal from the September 2023 conviction and on Friday, judges on the Ohio Fifth District Court of Appeals affirmed the sentence. He was found guilty on 18 counts of rape, 10 counts of gross sexual imposition and three counts of endangering children.

The prosecution’s office said the charges stemmed from an investigation that began in 2022 when one victim reported to Zanesville police that Newlon raped and molested her over six years. Two other victims later came forward.

The victims said Newlon molested and raped them for years, beginning when they were 12, 9 and 8 years old and that Newlon threatened physical and emotional consequences should they report his behavior.

When the victims eventually went to law enforcement, they explained that they first told members of the Newlon’s family of the abuse but were encouraged to keep it private and not involve police.

Defense counsel raised seven assignments of error -- some procedural and some based on testimony -- for the judge panel to consider. All seven were overruled.

Newlon, 42, will be 102 years old when he is eligible for parole.