CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A jury convicted former Hocking County Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Caleb Moritz on seven of eight felony charges Wednesday, including witness intimidation, drug offenses, and weapons violations, following a trial moved to Ross County due to pretrial publicity concerns.
Moritz, 39, was found guilty on all charges except Count 5, unlawful transaction in weapons. The verdict was rendered Wednesday afternoon at the Ross County Common Pleas Court.
Troubled path to trial
Moritz was first indicted in August 2023 on 10 felony counts. His trial, which began March 16, was moved to Ross County after both defense and prosecution raised concerns about pretrial publicity in Hocking County.
The case faced significant delays after a mistrial was declared in an earlier proceeding. A judge ruled the state withheld critical evidence, including a cell phone extraction report tied to a key witness. That procedural mistrial did not dismiss the charges.
Moritz resigned from the sheriff’s office in 2023.
What’s next
Judge Bearthard maintained Moritz’s $50,000 cash bond and scheduled sentencing for May 1 at 9 a.m. The convictions carry mandatory prison time.