Richard Dennison Pleads Not Guilty to Five Felony Charges in Ashland County
ASHLAND, Ohio — Richard Dennison pleaded not guilty Tuesday, Sept. 22, to five fourth-degree felony counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, according to Ashland County Common Pleas Court records.
The complaint alleges that Dennison knowingly bought, obtained, possessed or controlled obscene material involving a minor in Ashland County on or about Sept. 17. It lists five separate counts under Ohio Revised Code Section 2907.321(A)(5). Ashland Police Division Detective Kara Pearce signed the complaint, which was filed Sept. 18.
Magistrate Emily M. Bates set bond at $300,000 during a Sept. 21 hearing. Dennison may post a surety bond, a bond secured by qualifying property or securities, or cash in that amount. Bates appointed attorney Cassandra Buckner after finding Dennison eligible for court-appointed counsel.
If released on bond, Dennison must wear a GPS monitor, observe a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and have no unsupervised contact with minors. The order also bars him from possessing a device capable of accessing the internet and prohibits alcohol, drugs of abuse and products containing THC. He may not leave Ohio without written court permission.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Dennison appeared by video with Buckner and entered his not guilty plea through counsel. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Laura Stanley appeared for the state. Dennison waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and Bates continued the existing bond.
The next hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15, at 2:30 p.m. by video. Dennison must appear at the Ashland County courthouse if he posts bond before then.
The charges are allegations. Dennison is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
