ASHLAND — An Ashland Municipal Court judge dropped a sheriff detective’s domestic violence charge Friday and swapped it for assault.
Brandon Banks, 35, a detective for the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office since February 2019, pleaded “no contest” to the new assault charge.
Judge John Good then found Banks guilty of assault and dismissed the initial domestic violence charge, which was filed Nov. 27, 2023.
Both the domestic violence and assault charges are classified as first-degree misdemeanors.
Ohio law states the penalties for first-degree assault include a jail sentence of up to 180 days, a fine of up to $1,000 and probation for up to five years.
Banks has taken paid sick leave while the case made its way through the courts.
Temporary protection order still in effect
During Banks’ arraignment on Nov. 27, Good issued him a temporary protection order which required him to stay out of the couple’s house and to stay away from alcohol, marijuana and illegal substances.
The protection order did not prohibit contact with the Banks’ three children and it allowed Elizabeth Banks to be in contact with her husband.
Elizabeth Banks filed a motion requesting the judge to remove the protection order on Dec. 11. During that hearing, Good said he’d consider the request, pending a drug screen on Brandon Banks.
Her motion was denied on Jan. 4, according to court records.
Good set a sentence date for Feb. 23. He said the court will pursue a pre-sentence investigation and a victim impact statement between now and then.
“This will be your opportunity for both of you to tell the court how you feel about this and what your version of events is,” Good said, addressing Brandon Banks and his wife — who were present during the hearing.
The judge said he’s particularly interested in hearing from Brandon Banks’ wife, Elizabeth.
Good said he’d like to know what she wants to happen next “and how this has affected you and your family.”
Prosecutor Dave Hunter and defense attorney Jim Mayer III were not immediately available for comment. Banks’ boss boss at the sheriff’s office — Chief Deputy Dave Blake — was also not immediately available to comment.