A former Stark County Jail corrections officer has admitted to falsifying records, an act uncovered during an investigation into the 2023 suicide of an inmate.
Jason W. Rohr, 50, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony charge of tampering with records. Stark County Common Pleas Judge Taryn L. Heath accepted his plea but opted not to issue a conviction. Instead, Rohr was granted intervention in lieu of conviction, a program allowing defendants to receive mental health or substance abuse treatment. If successfully completed, the charge can be dismissed.
The resolution was a joint recommendation by defense attorney Eugene O’Byrne and Assistant Stark County Prosecutor Evan Heck. The trial, originally scheduled for Jan. 29, has been canceled.
During Tuesday’s court proceedings, Heck consulted with newly-elected Stark County Sheriff Eric Weisburn, whose office was the victim in the case. Weisburn approved the resolution. Heck confirmed that Rohr, who resigned as a corrections officer on March 13, 2024, will not be considered for reemployment.
The tampering charge stemmed from incidents between Nov. 21 and Nov. 29, 2023. Court records allege that Rohr altered, concealed, or destroyed jail records with the intent to defraud the Stark County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began following the Nov. 29, 2023, death of inmate David McKain, 41. McKain had been booked into the jail on an escape charge and parole violation. He was found hanging in his cell at approximately 7:30 a.m. during Rohr’s shift.
According to Rohr’s account, he had been checking on McKain every 15 minutes, as required. Rohr wrote in his report that McKain appeared to be walking around his cell and declined an offer to leave for “time out.” Minutes later, Rohr discovered McKain had hanged himself and radioed for assistance.
Jail staff, including three nurses, attempted to revive McKain before Canton firefighter/paramedics transported him to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital. McKain died on Dec. 3, 2023.
Former Stark County Sheriff George T. Maier stated that Rohr was suspended without pay following his indictment, which arose from the broader investigation into jail documentation practices.
