ASHLAND — Jeffrey Randall, 40, appeared via Zoom in Ashland County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday for a bond following his indictment last week on eight felony charges.
The West Salem man is accused of rape, forced prostitution of a minor, and faces weapons and domestic violence charges.
Randall’s court-appointed attorney, Rolf Whitney of Inscore, Rinehardt, Whitney & Enderle in Mansfield, told Magistrate Emily Bates that Randall would enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Whitney did not wish to comment further on the case at this time.
Randall’s trial is set to begin on May 23. If convicted on all charges, he could be sentenced to up to 53.5 years in prison and be fined $115,000.
Since July 15, 2018, Randall — who Ashland County Prosecutor Chris Tunnell described as an “alcoholic” who drinks “a fifth of liquor a day” — would give a minor “items of value” or “withhold things she wanted” until she performed sexual acts on him, then she would be “rewarded,” Tunnell said.
Randall was charged with three counts of rape and three counts of compelling prostitution for these acts, all felonies.
Randall was initially arrested and jailed on Feb. 27, 2023, when he gave the minor alcohol as an “inducement to perform a sexual act on him.” Immediately after that date, three people, including two minors, accused him of rape, according to Tunnell and a copy of Randall’s arrest report.
Randall was also alleged to have wrestled with a minor over a loaded gun he had brandished. After a brief standoff, Randall was arrested by ACSO and charged with domestic violence and having a weapon under disability. Tunnell said there was also DNA evidence found on Randall’s clothing.
The original domestic violence and weapons charge are also included in the new indictment that was filed on April 13.
Bates set Randall’s bail at $250,000, $100,000 more than what Tunnell had suggested. Randall was also issued a no-contact order for minors in general, a measure that Tunnell suggested.
