Ashland Man Indicted on Felony Sex Charge; Bond Set at $20,000
ASHLAND, Ohio — An Ashland man charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor appeared by video before Magistrate Paul T. Lange with the Ashland County Common Pleas Court this week for a bond hearing following his indictment by an Ashland County grand jury.
Landen Garza, 19, was arrested on February 14, 2026, and is charged with one count of Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, a fourth-degree felony, under Ohio Revised Code Section 2907.04(A).
According to the indictment, the alleged offense occurred between October 1 and October 28, 2025, in Ashland County. Prosecutors allege Garza, who was 18 years old or older at the time, engaged in sexual conduct with a minor who was 13 years of age or older but under the age of 16, knowing the victim’s age or acting recklessly in that regard.
During the hearing, the court confirmed Garza had received and understood the indictment and advised him of his constitutional rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to legal counsel. Garza requested court-appointed representation, and Attorney Jennifer Harmon was appointed to represent him.
Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Metcalf requested a $75,000 cash bond, citing the seriousness of the charge, the defendant’s own admissions, and the potential consequences if convicted.
“The defendant admitted to having sexual relations with a 14-year-old and acknowledged knowing her age,” Metcalf told the court. “While this may have been consensual, you cannot legally have sex with a 14-year-old. That is what makes this a felony.”
Metcalf further stated that a conviction would require Garza to register as a sex offender and could result in a prison sentence. He noted that Garza has no prior criminal history.
The court set bond as follows:
Personal recognizance bond, requiring Garza to appear at all future hearings
$20,000 bond, which may be posted as cash, surety, or real estate (no 10% option)
An arraignment has been scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., to be held by video.
As with all criminal cases, the charge is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
