ASHLAND — The Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office is down one person as it bids farewell to its assistant prosecutor, Victor Perez.

Perez, 53, submitted his letter of resignation in late May. The letter, dated May 25, read his resignation would become effective June 8.

“It has been a pleasure and an honor to represent the residents of Ashland County and work along your side in keeping this community safe for the last five plus years,” he wrote in the short letter.

“Thank you for the opportunity. This has been a great learning experience. Once again, thank you,” he wrote.

The letter did not offer further details. 

Perez said he accepted another position but declined to be specific in a separate interview. 

“After the election, a few opportunities came my way. When one door closes, a window opens. So I took the opportunity. It was a great learning experience in Ashland; I met a lot of great people,” he said.

Prosecutor Chris Tunnell said in an email his office is accepting resumes in order to fill the position. Tunnell said he did not have a timeline on when the position would be filled, and said he would handle the office’s felony docket until that happens.

“I have appreciated working with Victor over the past few years. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of Ashland County and his efforts have brought justice to countless victims,” Tunnell said. “He has my thanks and I wish him well.” 

Tunnell, who said he was surprised by Perez’s resignation, said the resumes received so far haven’t been promising.

“It’s been pretty bleak,” he said. “They don’t have the experience we’re looking for.”

Perez, a native to Puerto Rico, joined the U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Saudi Arabia in 1990 to fight in Desert Shield. He was honorably discharged in 1993 and shortly thereafter earned degrees in English and political science. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University in 1999.

His career in law began in 2002 in Cleveland, where he served in many roles until 2015, when he left as chief prosecutor to join Loraine County’s prosecutor’s office to prosecute felony-level offenses.

He became Ashland’s assistant prosecutor in December 2016.

In July 2021, Perez announced his bid for judge of Ashland County Court of Common Pleas as a Republican. His challenger, Dave Stimpert, earned the GOP nomination in the May primary.