Athens County Prosecutor

April 3, 2026



ATHENS, Ohio- Executive Director of Athens County Job and Family Services Jean Demosky Arrested for THEFT IN OFFICE, MATTER REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION

On April 3, 2026, Executive Director of Athens County Job and Family Services, Jean Demosky, was charged and arrested on one count of Theft in Office, a felony of the third degree.


The investigation was conducted by the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office with the cooperation of Athens County Sheriff Rodney Smith’s Office, Auditor Jill Davidson’s Office, information provided by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Service audit and information provided by 2025 Athens County audit team.

The case remains under investigation and additional charges are possible.


Demosky is accused of creating a shill nonprofit using county resources, staff, buildings, equipment and funding to provide goods to ineligible recipients including her own family member. The goods and services were not paid in full by the nonprofit. Demosky served as the president of the nonprofit and executive director of Athens County Job and Family Services at the same time. The outstanding bill from ODJFS for the nonprofit’s unpaid debt is in excess of $50,000.00 and the expense of county staffing doing work for the nonprofit is in excess of $1,000,000.00.


Athens County Prosecutor, Keller Blackburn stated, “he is grateful for the courage of the hardworking employees of Athens County Job and Family Services for coming forward and allowing the investigation to reach today’s arrest. These allegations have put the taxpayers of Athens County on the hook for over a $1,000,000.00 for the fraud led at the direction of Demosky.”


Demosky is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 PM Friday April 3, 2026, in front of Judge George P. McCarthy.

Yesterday, law enforcement officers from the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office, Athens County Sheriff’s Office, and Ohio University Police Department had the opportunity to visit our local Girl Scouts for “Respect Authority Day.”

It was a meaningful opportunity to connect with these young leaders, answer their questions, and share the importance of trust, safety, and community.

As Prosecutor Keller Blackburn shared,
“Taking the time to connect with young people like this helps build trust and understanding — and that’s the foundation of a strong community.”

Thank you to the Girl Scouts for welcoming us and reminding us why we do what we do every day.

ACPO PRESS RELEASE

From: Keller J. Blackburn, Athens County Prosecuting Attorney

Date: March 16, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


UPDATED NOTICE OF SALE
DISPOSAL OF FORFEITED VEHICLES AND PROPERTY

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 2981.04 the following forfeited property will be disposed of at a silent auction on March 16, 2026, AT 10:00 A.M until 11:00 A.M. at the Athens County Courthouse, First Floor Rotunda, Athens, OH 45701; forfeited vehicles will be disposed of at a live auction on the same day beginning at 10:40 a.m.:

TERMS OF SALE: All vehicles, real estate and other property listed above vehicles shall be sold under the doctrine of caveat emptor, in as is condition and without appraisal or warranty, at silent auction, with minimum bids as follows:

1. 2013 Volkswagen Passat
2. 2022 Honda Passport
3. Hot tub MARQUIS
4. Nutri Bullet Rx 10 piece set
5. Nutri Bullet Rx 10 piece set
6. HP Deskjet 3510
7. HP Photosmart 5510
8. Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Generation)
9. Amazon Echo (2nd Generation)
10. Vinci Express Cold Brew Coffee Brewer
11. Dyson Air wrap complete
12. Real Work Lighting LED Solar Motion Light
13. Keurig K-mini plus matte black
14. Keurig K-mini plus matte black
15. Keurig My K cup
16. Dyson V6 Absolute EX-TV Vacuum
17. Dyson V6 Vacuum EX-TV Vacuum
18. Veggie Bullet 12 piece set
19. Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer
20. Pod Rocker Chair
21. Pod Rocker Chair
22. Apple Watch 38MM 7000 series A1553
23. Apple Watch Fashion Watchband
24. TOP4CUS Watch Sport Band
25. TOP4CUS Watch Sport Band
26. Apple Watch Sport Band 40MM Pine Green
27. Secbolt watch band
28. Speidel watch band
29. WFEAGL watch band
30. Cervical Vertebra massager
31. Cervical Vertebra massager
32. Cervical Vertebra massager
33. Cervical Vertebra massager

All items listed above shall be sold to the highest bidder for cash or cashier’s check, payable at the time of sale. Bids on items for the silent auction will be submitted in writing during the auction and the highest bidder at the end of the auction shall be awarded the specific item. Vehicles will be available for inspection two hours prior to the sale at 9009 Sand Ridge Rd., Millfield, Ohio 45761. Vehicles are to be removed within ten (10) days of the purchase or storage fees will be assessed. Arrangements for entrance to the storage lot to remove vehicles other than on the day of sale must be made through the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.

Sagastume Found Guilty of R**e Following Four-Day Jury Trial

Athens, Ohio – Following a four-day jury trial, Andres Sagastume, 23, of Chantilly, Virginia, was found guilty of R**e, a felony of the first degree.

The verdict was returned following three days of evidence and one day of deliberation on January 9, 2026.

Sagastume was a football player from West Virginia State University visiting Athens Saturday August 24, 2024, sexually assaulted an Ohio University student he had previously met, in her apartment in the early morning hours of August 25, 2024.

The state called 10 witnesses in the case-in-chief, followed by two defense witnesses, including the Defendant, and the state followed with one rebuttal witness.

This case was investigated by the Athens City Police Department, with assistance from the Kanawha County, WV Sheriff’s Department and the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office Secret Service. The State was represented by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Liz Pepper and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Sanderson and the defendant by Sam Shamansky.

Sagastume is scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2026 at 1:30 PM, by Judge Patrick Lang.

Collins faces Life in Prison following Jury’s verdict on 21 count Child Sexual Assault Trial

Athens, Ohio - After a four day jury trial, Robert Collins, 63, of Glouster, was found guilty of a 21 count indictment related to the sexual assault of children. The charges stem from the defendants grooming of children by providing ma*****na, alcohol, and vapes to create an opportunity for assault.

The defendant was convicted of five counts of R**e, the most severe carrying a maximum penalty of Life in prison.
The State of Ohio called 15 witnesses, including 9 victims, 2 Athens County Prosecutor Secret Service officers, and 4 lay witnesses, in the case presided over by Judge Patrick Lang.

"The courage of these nine victims to share their trauma is the only reason justice was served. I am grateful to the dedicated professionals who fight for children every day. Liz (Pepper) and Ashley’s (Johnson) work on the prosecution gave these victims voice a megaphone to lead to the conviction. ‘You win with people” to ‘Make our community better’ and Liz, Ashley, Jay, Chuck, Lauren and all who worked for justice on this matter are some of our best people, and our community is certainly better.”

Sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM in courtroom A.

This case was reported to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office and referred to The Athens County Prosecutor’s Office for further investigation. ACPO Investigator Chuck Love was the prosecuting officer, he was assisted in the investigation by Chief Investigator Jay Barrett, investigators and analysts of the prosecutor’s office, the CAC of Ross County, Sheriff Rodney Smith’s detectives, and with special assistance from the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Southeast Correctional Institution. The case was presented by First Chair Ashley Johnson and Chief Assistant Prosecutor Liz Pepper.

New Location, Same Support ---

Our Peer-to-Peer Recovery Meeting has a new home! Starting next week (8/26), we’ll be meeting at the Athens City Health Department—right down the street from our previous spot.

EVERY Tuesday | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Meeting Room @ Athens City Health Department
278 W. Union St., Athens, OH

This weekly group, in partnership with TASC of Southeast Ohio, offers a welcoming, judgment-free space for anyone in recovery—or supporting someone who is. Whether you're just starting out or continuing your journey, you're not alone. Come as you are.

Questions? Call the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office at 740-592-3208. Can't wait to see you there!