Jason Neading, a former teacher from the Sandy Valley School District, is set to appear for his third judicial release hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 9, as he seeks early release from prison. Neading, now 42, was sentenced to four years in prison in October 2021 after pleading guilty to a gross sexual imposition charge, a third-degree felony. As part of a plea deal, a rape charge against him was dismissed.
Neading’s current expected release date is April 14, 2025, without an early release. However, he is now seeking to be released approximately six months early. His two previous judicial release requests were denied, with the most recent hearing held in April 2023.
A petition opposing Neading’s early release has been circulating in the community and has gathered over 1,700 signatures, with a goal of reaching 2,500 before the hearing.
Neading’s victim and her family have expressed their opposition to his early release. “This isn’t fair, and he should get the full term because four years shouldn’t be hard to fulfill compared to what he did to me,” said the victim. “I want to move on with my life, but I can’t do that knowing I didn’t get the full four years of justice that I deserve.”
The victim’s mother also shared her thoughts: “He agreed to this, taking a plea to minimize his charge and agreed to four years. Why should he get out early? I don’t want anything malicious, just that he should fulfill what he agreed to.”
The East Sparta resident, a Tier II sex offender, will be required to register as a sex offender for 25 years following his eventual release. Neading resigned from his position as a middle school social studies teacher in 2021 after being charged with the crime. His victim was not a student, and the crime was unrelated to his role as a teacher.
Judge Chryssa Hartnett, who originally sentenced Neading, denied his first two requests for early release in May 2022. As Neading prepares for his third attempt, community members continue to voice their concerns through the petition, which may influence the outcome of the upcoming hearing.
