MANSFIELD — A 33-year-old Perrysville man learned Thursday he will likely never again be a free man.
Richland County Common Pleas Court Judge Phil Naumoff sentenced Jareth Vance to 228 1/2 years in prison — of which 209 years are mandatory, Richland County Prosecutor Jodie Schumacher confirmed Friday morning.
After a two-week jury trial in common pleas court, Vance was convicted Aug. 14 on 40 counts — which included four counts of attempted aggravated murder and four counts of attempted murder.
Additional counts included kidnapping, felonious assault and menacing by stalking, among other charges, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Schumacher told Richland Source on Friday morning the prosecution’s goal was to achieve a sentence which ensured Vance had “no hope of getting out (of prison).”
“Justice was served,” Schumacher said. “Each victim (in this case) has suffered a lifetime of trauma.”
The case against Vance stemmed from a series of events in Richland and Crawford counties on Feb. 11, 2024, that led to a four-hour standoff with law enforcement officers.
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Schumacher previously said Vance set fire to the Crawford County home of his ex-girlfriend, with her dogs locked inside. He then went to a residence in Ontario where his ex-girlfriend was having a Super Bowl party.
“Vance entered the residence, uninvited and unannounced, held everyone, including children, in the residence against their will at gunpoint, before shooting and wounding an Ontario officer (Dylan Bailey), along with another victim,” the prosecutor’s office said via Facebook on Aug. 14 after the jury’s verdict was announced.
Vance then barricaded himself inside the residence for four hours before finally surrendering, the prosecutor’s office said in August.
Ontario police chief issues statement Friday morning
Ontario police Chief Tom Hill issued a statement early Friday morning via the department’s Facebook page.
“Today (Thursday) was a day of complete justice. The criminal thug who shot two innocent people was sentenced to 228 years in prison,” Hill said. “As the Chief of Police in Ontario, Ohio, I am humbled at the professionalism, bravery and courage of all of my officers.
“I am humbled at the bravery and courage of all of the victims that stood up today in court and gave survivor impact statements. Their bravery was inspirational.
“Today was a good day. It was a collaboration of good against evil. I counted myself lucky as I looked around at a court filled with honorable and brave men and women of law enforcement,” the chief said.
“Thank you to all of our law enforcement heroes who go out every day and put everything on the line. You are all my heroes. Because of how you live.”
Chief Hill’s full statement, as posted to social media, can be read below:
“Today was a day of complete justice. The criminal thug who shot two innocent people was sentenced to 228 years in prison. As the Chief of Police in Ontario Ohio, I am humbled at the professionalism, bravery and courage of all of my officers. I am humbled at the bravery and courage of all of the victims that stood up today in court and gave survivor impact statements. Their bravery was inspirational.
“I am forever grateful for the work of Richland County Prosecutor Jodie Schumacher and First Assistant Terri Burnside. I am gratefully thankful to the jury of the criminal thug’s peers who in wisdom and bravery found the criminal thug guilty on all 40 counts. I am grateful for the jurisprudence of Judge Naumoff and his wisdom. I am grateful for the leadership of Sheriff Steve Sheldon and the professionalism of his deputies and court staff through this process. I am grateful for Mayor Kris Knapp, Service Director Adam Gongwer and the entire Ontario City Council for the unwavering support of my department.
“I am so excited to announce Ohio Legislative Bill 229. Introduced by our own Mark Romanchuck which establishes a Law Enforcement Purple Heart award in Ohio for all Law Enforcement personnel seriously wounded in the line of duty.
“It establishes a special plate and fee waiver for our brave blue warriors. This is because of the bravery of Ofc. Dylan Bailey, Ofc. Joshua Rivers and Lt. Jeromie Barnhart. Ohio has officially stepped up to recognize the heroism of their law enforcement officers. It is also a solemn reminder of all of our blue warriors who have paid the ultimate sacrifice who gave their last breath in the protection of their community.
“Today was a good day. It was a collaboration of good against evil. I counted myself lucky as I looked around at a court filled with honorable and brave men and women of law enforcement.
“Finally, I wanted to say thank you to our family members who hold it all together. Our Wives, Husbands, Children, our Moms and Dads who give their treasure every day to stand the line between the good and the evil of this world.
“At the National Law Enforcement monument in Washington, D.C., it is inscribed these words of all of our heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Inscribed it reads: “It is not how these officers died that made them heroes. It is how they lived.”
“Thank You to all of our law enforcement heroes who go out every day and put everything on the line. You are all my heroes. Because of how You live.”