Ohio judge suspended for helping inmate get early release

An Ohio judge has been suspended for arranging the early release of an acquaintance’s son from prison, the state Supreme Court announced.

Richard Skelton was found to have engaged in improper out-of-court communications with inmate Aaron Cox and his mother, Shelly Overton, in an effort to secure Cox’s early release.

Overton worked at a medical practice where Skelton was a patient, according to the Ohio Supreme Court.

“The issues that were presented related to actions that he took in good faith and an objective effort to do justice,” said Skelton’s attorney, David Greer. “And during his career on the bench, he was an excellent and proactive judge.”

Skelton was suspended for 18 months. He served on the bench from 2014 until resigning in December 2024.

Inmate illegally helped by judge was sentenced to prison in 2020

Skelton’s connection to Cox and his mother dates back to 2020, when Cox was sentenced to five to six years in prison after pleading guilty to charges including felonious assault, aggravated robbery and escape.

Ahead of another judge’s retirement in early 2022, Skelton told Cox’s mother he would look into taking over the case, according to a complaint filed with the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct. Cox was not eligible for release until February 2025.

Although a motion for judicial release was initially denied, the case was later reassigned to Skelton.

The complaint states that Skelton did not disclose his communications with Cox’s mother. He later met privately with Cox without attorneys present and indicated he would grant his release under certain conditions.

A recorded jail call captured Cox telling his mother about the meeting. According to the complaint, Overton told her son she had known for weeks he would be released — a plan the judge allegedly asked her to keep confidential.

Skelton granted Cox’s judicial release in June 2022, despite objections from prosecutors and evidence Cox was not yet eligible. State law required a hearing before such a decision.

Inmate violated probation while release appeal was pending

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office appealed the decision, arguing Cox had not served the required portion of his sentence. Cox also violated probation while the appeal was pending.

Another judge later revoked Cox’s release and ordered him to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Suspended judge was involved in 2020 civil rights lawsuit

Skelton was also named in a 2020 civil rights lawsuit filed by a former employee, who alleged wrongful termination tied to a disability and claimed he was required to perform work at Skelton’s home and law firm.

The case was settled for $70,000.

In addition to the suspension, Skelton has been ordered to pay the costs of the disciplinary proceedings.

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