State investigators are looking into a high profile case that shook a community to its core after alleged screenshots of text messages surfaced online.
The investigation involves former Chillicothe Superintendent Jon Saxton and current Ross County Common Pleas Court Judge Matthew Schmidt; it centers around former Chillicothe Principal Jeff Fisher, who was accused of having sex with his students a few years ago.
Fisher was sentenced to prison in 2019 when he was convicted of two counts of sexual assault on two female students. He was let out 18 months into his sentence for early judicial release.
Fast forward to today, and screenshots have surfaced online of alleged text messages between Fisher’s boss, the lead prosecutor on the case, and one of the purported victims, alleging the entire case against Fisher was made up.
In the messages, the name of the Superintendent appears to be texting with the victim, where it appears he is coaching her on how to testify and what to tell investigators. The messages further purport that the girl was never actually assaulted by Fisher, but the Superintendent is purported to be attempting to convince the girl to move forward with claims.
Additional screenshots were posted online that are purportedly between the same alleged victim and the lead prosecutor on the case at the time, Matthew Schmidt. Schmidt is now a Judge in Ross County.
In the messages that are purportedly between Schmidt and the young girl, it is alleged Schmidt was having an affair with the victim at his office while the case was making its way through the court system. Schmidt is also alleged to have told the girl he knew the allegations of sexual assault against Fisher were fabricated and that he knew the girl was lying, according to the screenshots.
On Friday, Schmidt called the messages fabricated and disgraceful in an interview with the Guardian.
Ohio’s BCI has launched an investigation into the origin of the messages and the social media accounts behind their release.
“So you understand the nature of the investigation, it’s actually trying to determine who is creating and generating these things,” Schmidt said. “Harassing a crime victim is criminal, and assuming someone else’s identity is criminal.”
Schmidt said the investigation also involves the intimidation of a public official since he is an elected Judge, and prior, he was the county Prosecutor.
BCI could not be reached for comment on Friday, but Pickaway County Sheriff Robbie Radcliff confirmed the state’s involvement. Radcliff’s office was initially involved after being requested by the Ross County Sheriff.
“This has actually been going on since July….this person has also sent anonymous letters out….this is not a new thing,” Schmidt told this outlet. “Part of the nature of being in these positions (of Prosecutor and now Judge), people make threats against you….I will say, this current attempt to create fake texts and put them out on social media is the worst thing I’ve seen. It’s absolutely false and gross these things are being said. It’s also an attempt to smear a victim of sexual assault and that is disgusting.”
Schmidt said while he has thick skin, the messages also mentioned his wife and child’s name, which concerned him a great deal and made him uneasy.
Jon Saxton released a statement to the Guardian on Friday, also denying the authenticity of the messages.
“I have not sent the messages being shared on Twitter and Facebook showing my name and phone number to which I believe you are referring,” Saxton said. “The messages are fake and were not sent by me. I immediately reported these messages to the authorities….”
Fisher’s lawyers could not be reached for comment for this story.
The Guardian has not been able to independently verify the screenshots’ authenticity, or lack thereof, or Schmidt’s and Saxton’s claims.