Bond Reinstatement Hearing Held in Brandon Mosher Case; Court Takes Matter Under Advisement
ASHLAND — An Ashland County Common Pleas Court Judge David R. Stimpert has taken under advisement a renewed defense request to reinstate the bond of former Polk-Jackson-Perry Fire Chief Brandon Richard Mosher following a video hearing centered on disputed Facebook activity that led to his return to jail.
Defense attorney James J. Mayer III filed a Motion to Reinstate Bond on January 14, 2026, asking the court to reconsider its prior denial and schedule an oral hearing. The motion challenges the state’s allegation that Mosher violated bond conditions by accessing the internet and unfollowing an individual on Facebook shortly after posting bond in October.
Mosher’s bond was revoked on December 5, 2025, after prosecutors alleged multiple violations of strict release conditions prohibiting internet access or possession of internet-capable devices. A prior hearing on December 22 resulted in the court denying bond reinstatement.
Disputed Facebook Activity
At the center of the renewed motion is an allegation that Mosher unfollowed an individual identified as K.P. on Facebook on October 21, 2025 — activity prosecutors previously cited as evidence Mosher accessed social media in violation of bond.
In filings and testimony, Mayer argued that follow-up investigation revealed the unfollow activity was not initiated by Mosher, but instead resulted from K.P. blocking Mosher, his wife, and another family member on Facebook.
According to the defense, once a user blocks another individual, Facebook automatically severs the connection — making it impossible for the blocked party to unfollow, view, or access the blocker’s profile.
“It was a practical impossibility for my client to unfollow her,” Mayer argued during the hearing, stating that K.P.’s blocking action would have automatically generated the unfollow activity reflected in Facebook records.
Prosecutors Acknowledge Uncertainty
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Metcalf acknowledged during the hearing that additional investigation, including communications with Facebook and the individual involved, introduced uncertainty into the original allegation.
Metcalf told the court that Facebook records initially showed Mosher’s account “unfollowed” K.P., but subsequent clarification from Facebook indicated that blocking can result in an automatic unfriend, unfollow, and unlike action, even if initiated by the blocking party.
“It’s still not super clear,” Metcalf said, adding that the state recognizes the burden rests with prosecutors to prove a bond violation. He agreed that further testimony was likely unnecessary and left the matter to the court’s discretion.
Both parties stipulated on the record that K.P. confirmed she blocked Mosher, his wife Lexi, and another family member on October 22, 2025, the same timeframe cited in the original bond violation allegation.
Defense Emphasizes Compliance Efforts
Mayer also highlighted testimony from Mosher’s wife presented at the December hearing, noting she admitted to being the primary person managing online accounts, job applications, and family technology matters — while actively working to ensure Mosher complied with bond restrictions.
The defense argued Mosher took extraordinary measures to avoid violations, including using a non-smart phone approved by authorities and coordinating closely with his wife to prevent unauthorized access.
“He was following his bond,” Mayer told the court. “And when the only remaining allegation falls apart under scrutiny, there is no basis to keep him incarcerated.”
Mosher has posted a $300,000 bond with a 10 percent deposit and remains subject to strict no-contact orders involving protected individuals, including his children.
Court to Issue Written Decision
After hearing arguments, Common Pleas Court Judge David R. Stimpert said he would review prior exhibits and issue a written ruling, likely within 24 hours. The court also requested the state submit Facebook correspondence as a supplemental exhibit.
Mosher remains held at the Ashland County Jail while the bond reinstatement request is under advisement.
Case Background
Mosher, 36, is charged in Case No. 25-CRI-137 with:
Pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person (2nd-degree felony)
Pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor or impaired person (4th-degree felony)
Illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material (5th-degree felony)
If convicted, he faces multiple years in prison, with the most serious charge carrying a potential sentence of up to eight years.
Trial dates are currently scheduled for March 3–5, 2026, in Ashland County Common Pleas Court.
The case remains active. Further updates will be provided as court rulings are issued.
