Ford gets probation; tells judge she would 'love to apologize'
Victim calls podcaster a 'predator,'
SANDUSKY — Ashli Ford avoided prison Monday when a visiting judge sentenced her to probation, fines, and strict conditions after a jury convicted her earlier this year on four felony counts of intimidation against local officials.
JudgeDeborah Boros suspended four consecutive nine-month prison terms — a total of 36 months — and instead placed Ford on three years of probation. She was fined $2,000 and ordered to obtain a mental health evaluation, maintain full-time employment, and avoid all contact with the victims named in the case, including Norwalk Mayor David Light.
“You must follow the rules, whether you agree with them or not,” the judge told Ford. “The concern of this court is that you don’t recognize the seriousness of these convictions.”
WATCH: Ford and supporters celebrate outside the courthouse after she gets sentenced to three years probation.
The sentence came after an emotional hearing where prosecutors pressed for 30 months in prison, citing Ford’s lack of remorse and her continued online attacks against public officials even after her conviction.
“She has shown nothing but disrespect and contempt for the justice system,” Erie County Prosecutor Kevin Baxter told the court, calling Ford “a predator” who endangers others with false and inflammatory claims.
Victims also urged incarceration. Light, a retired Norwalk police chief, said Ford’s ongoing allegations put officials and their families at risk.
“She has not stopped,” Light said. “Even last week she was making wild allegations on her podcast. She puts us in harm’s way.”
Another victim, former Norwalk safety director Mike White, was more blunt. He said Ford “profits off people’s pain” and called her “malicious, cowardly, and dangerous.”
“She’s not a journalist, she’s a liar,” White said. “The danger is real. Ashli Ford is a predator. Incarceration is necessary.”
Ford’s attorney, Peter Pattakos, argued that jail time was unwarranted and that her speech, though provocative, was constitutionally protected. He urged the judge to allow an appeal before any sentence is carried out.
“Most importantly, we ask this court to respect Ms. Ford’s right to appeal,” Pattakos said, calling the case “a troubling exercise of state power” against a critic of local government.
Ford, who has multiple sclerosis and is the primary breadwinner for her family, told the court she would comply with probation terms but did not apologize for her statements.
“While I would love to stand up here and apologize, I am under the advice of my attorney not to,” Ford said. “As far as sanctions by this court, they will be followed like they have been for the last two years.”
Afterward, Pattakos said a notice of appeal would be filed with the Sixth District Court of Appeals this week, with the defense arguing that Ford’s convictions criminalize speech protected by the First Amendment.
Ford still faces new, unrelated charges of forgery and mortgage fraud, which prosecutors recently filed. Pattakos said he is not representing her in that case but called the charges “dubious” and “troubling in their timing.”
Ford was ordered to have no contact with the victims and also is prohibited from having third parties be in contact.
Shortly after the sentencing hearing, a Facebook post by Jeff Logan, an account prosecutors suspect is a pseudonym for a supporter of Ashli Ford’s, made a post mentioning the victims Ford was convicted of threatening.
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