CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Guardian, the leading source for local news in the Scioto Valley, will provide comprehensive live-stream coverage of the felony trial of former Hocking County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Caleb Moritz, set to begin Tuesday, June 24, in Ross County. The trial, relocated from Hocking County due to extensive pretrial publicity, will be streamed on the Guardian’s website, social media platforms, and mobile app, ensuring real-time access for viewers.
The venue change, agreed upon by both the prosecution and defense, was granted by visiting Judge Randy Deering on Feb. 19, citing Moritz’s high-profile status and widespread media coverage, including social media posts and his candidacy for Hocking County Sheriff in the 2024 Republican primary.
Moritz faces 13 felony charges, including two counts of intimidation of a witness, two counts of corrupting another with drugs, one count of tampering with evidence, two counts of unlawful transactions in weapons, one count of forgery, one count of grand theft, and three additional charges added in a supplemental indictment filed in February 2025. The charges stem from incidents between September 2022 and April 2023, with initial indictments issued in August 2023 and additional charges added in April 2024.
The case has drawn significant attention, fueled by a 30-minute documentary, “Framed: The Caleb Moritz Story,” released by the Guardian in March 2024. The documentary, which alleges the charges may be politically motivated, includes secret audio recordings, videos, and text messages questioning the validity of the accusations. Moritz, who resigned from the sheriff’s office in March 2023, ran against incumbent Sheriff Lanny North in the 2024 primary, adding a political dimension to the case.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office, led by special prosecutors Cynthia Ellison and Brad Tammaro, will represent the state. Moritz’s defense attorney, Paul Scarsella, has filed multiple motions, including requests for discovery and allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, though no rulings have been publicly disclosed as of Monday. The trial, previously delayed from October 2024 and February 2025, is now set to proceed in Chillicothe’s Ross County Courthouse.
Ellison, a former assistant prosecutor in the Hocking County Prosecutor’s Office under former Prosecutor Ryan Black, served as a key figure in the office before transitioning to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, where she now acts as a special prosecutor in the felony trial. During her tenure under Black — who resigned in April 2024 amid allegations of sexual misconduct and who has since had his law license suspended — Ellison participated in the initial investigation of Moritz, including directing a search warrant execution at his home.
Scarsella, moved to have Ellison removed from the prosecution, alleging her involvement in the case under Black’s leadership suggested potential political retaliation, given Black’s controversial tenure and the political context of Moritz against Sheriff Lanny North. The motion was denied by Judge Deering on July 26, 2024, allowing Ellison and the Attorney General’s Office to continue prosecuting the case.
The Guardian’s live stream will offer unfiltered access to the proceedings, with expert commentary and updates available across its platforms.
Moritz pleaded not guilty to all charges in April 2024. The trial is expected to last several days, with 11 witnesses subpoenaed by the prosecution, including law enforcement officials and Hocking County Sheriff’s Office personnel.