(7-19-26) Shawn Newberry ((43) of St. Marys was booked by the St. Marys Police Department on an aggravated menacing charge. He is being held with no bond at the Auglaize County Jail.

In Ohio, aggravated menacing occurs when someone knowingly causes another person to believe the offender will cause serious physical harm to them, their immediate family, their unborn child, or their property. It is generally a first-degree misdemeanor, though it can be elevated to a felony based on the victim or prior offenses.

The Legal Definition

According to Ohio Revised Code 2903.21, the offense is defined by the following:

  • The Action: Knowingly threatening another person.
  • The Victim: The threat can be directed at the individual, their unborn child, their immediate family, or their property.
  • The Threat: The offender must cause the victim to fear serious physical harm. The belief can be based on words, conduct, or implied by targeting the victim’s workplace or organization.

Penalties

  • First-Degree Misdemeanor (M1): This is the standard charge. Penalties can include up to 180 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines.
  • Felony Charges: The charge elevates to a fifth-degree felony (F5) if the victim is an officer or employee of a public children services agency. It can further escalate to a fourth-degree felony (F4) if the offender has previous convictions for certain offenses of violence, or if the victim belongs to specific protected categories like children services agencies. An F4 conviction can result in up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.