Ashland County Grand Jury Indicts Summit County Man on Swatting, Harassment Allegations; Judge Sets April Jury Trial
ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO – An Ashland County grand jury has indicted Kevin Raphael, 25, on a list of charges accusing him of making multiple false emergency reports and engaging in an extended pattern of telecommunications harassment and stalking-related conduct, according to court filings.
The indictment, lists 16 counts including four felony swatting charges and a felony count of possessing criminal tools tied to an alleged cell phone used in the offenses.
What the grand jury alleges
In the indictment, prosecutors accuse Raphael of using a telecommunications device or service to report (or cause to be reported) false or misleading information that resulted in emergency responses — conduct commonly referred to as “swatting.”
Felony counts in the indictment include:
Counts 1–4: Swatting (F-4) — alleged incidents on:
Jan. 1, 2026
Sept. 14, 2025
Sept. 7, 2025
Sept. 6, 2025
Each count alleges Raphael knowingly caused false or misleading information to be reported, under circumstances likely to generate and that did generate an emergency response.
Count 16: Possessing Criminal Tools (F-5) alleging Raphael possessed a cell phone with purpose to use it criminally, with the filing noting it was intended for use in commission of a felony (swatting). The indictment also includes a forfeiture specification referencing an iPhone 16e, alleging it is subject to forfeiture as contraband/property tied to the offense.
Additional misdemeanor charges include:
Counts 5–8: Making False Alarms (M-1) alleged on the same four dates as the swatting counts (Jan. 1, 2026; Sept. 14, 2025; Sept. 7, 2025; Sept. 6, 2025).
Counts 9–13 & 15: Telecommunications Harassment (M-1) including alleged incidents on:
Jan. 1, 2026
Sept. 14, 2025
Sept. 7, 2025
Sept. 6, 2025
Aug. 22, 2025
plus an additional harassment count alleged over a broader time period (July 15, 2025 through Jan. 1, 2026).
Count 14: Menacing by Stalking (M-1) alleging a pattern of conduct from July 15, 2025 through Jan. 1, 2026.
Several counts include venue language stating the alleged offenses were committed in Ashland County and/or Summit County.
Bond hearing: prosecutors cite “strong evidence” and repeated police responses
Court records show the case began by complaint filed Jan. 9, 2026, followed by a bond setting hearing on Jan. 14, 2026, conducted by video before Ashland County Common Pleas Court Magistrate Paul T. Lange.
During the hearing, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney James Reese told the court the state believed there was strong evidence Raphael intentionally tried to trigger police response by alleging a robbery in progress, with the goal of getting his ex-boyfriend and the person he was dating arrested.
Reese also stated in open court that law enforcement responded to the alleged victim’s residence and that, according to the report referenced at the hearing, police had responded at least 10 times over the past year based on alleged false calls attributed to Raphael.
Bond set at $15,000; no-contact order issued
After hearing from the parties, Lange set bond at $15,000, allowing a 10% option (meaning $1,500 to post under the 10% deposit option), or alternatively a surety/cash/real-estate bond as permitted by law.
As conditions of release, the court ordered, among other requirements, that Raphael have no contact with the alleged victim and not harass him “in any way” while the case is pending. The court also ordered Raphael not to leave Ohio, to keep the court updated on address/phone number, and to comply with additional bond conditions outlined in the magistrate’s order.
Because Raphael told the court he could not afford an attorney, the court found him indigent for appointment purposes and appointed Attorney Gregory Tarkowsky.
Arraignment: not guilty plea entered; bond reduction denied
Raphael was arraigned by video on Feb. 17, 2026, with Reese appearing for the state and Tarkowsky representing Raphael. Court filings indicate Raphael, through counsel, entered a plea of not guilty to the indictment.
The case was scheduled for a jury trial on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. in Ashland County Common Pleas Court.
A separate filing indicates Raphael moved to reduce bond; the state objected. The court denied the request, citing “the seriousness of the charges,” and ordered that bond be continued. A status conference was also set for Friday, March 20, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the judge’s chambers.
Case information
Case: State of Ohio v. Kevin Raphael
Case No.: 26-CRI-014
Investigating agency listed on indictment: Ashland County Sheriff’s Office
Charges include: Swatting (F-4), Possessing Criminal Tools (F-5) with forfeiture specification, Making False Alarms (M-1), Telecommunications Harassment (M-1), Menacing by Stalking (M-1)
Note: A criminal indictment is an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
