Serial child molester to spend 55 years to life in prison
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (May 6, 2024) – A long-delayed child sex abuse case has ended, although we may not have seen the last of the defendant.
32-year-old Jason M. Gordon will spend 55 years to life in prison for crimes from more than a decade ago involving three young children. Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court Judge Elizabeth Thomakos doled out the punishment, which comes with a lifetime Tier 3 sex offender designation.
“I think it would demean the seriousness of the offense and the harm caused to impose a single term. I am going to run the charges consecutive to one another, which results in an aggregate term of 55 years to life.”
One of the victims came forward a few years ago and the other two followed suit, resulting in a 2022 indictment for counts of rape and gross sexual imposition. Assistant County Prosecutor Kristine Beard says Gordon confessed to molesting other kids during his interview with detectives and was the subject of another probe while the case was pending.
“And I understand that he may have some trauma in his past. I am sorry for that, but the fact remains that he is a danger, frankly, to kids in our society, and the public needs to be protected from that.”
Gordon previously admitted to the charges but was allowed to vacate his plea because of a technicality. He underwent two competency evaluations before being tried and found guilty last month. It’s unclear if or when the grand jury will hand down additional charges.