True Crime Podcaster Ashli Ford Convicted of Intimidating Ohio Officials via Facebook

SANDUSKY, OHIO — Ashli Ford, a 40-year-old true crime podcaster from Ohio, has been convicted on four felony counts of intimidation after posting threatening messages about city officials on Facebook. The verdict was delivered on May 23 in Erie County, following a trial that scrutinized Ford’s social media activity and its impact on public servants.

Ford, known for her podcast “Allegedly,” faced a total of 19 charges, including extortion and telecommunications fraud. While she was acquitted of 15 counts, the jury found her guilty of four felony intimidation charges. The case centered around a Facebook post from September 2023, in which Ford named several Norwalk city officials—Mayor David Light, law director Stuart O’Hara, safety and service director Michael White, and former police chief David Smith—and accused them of various corrupt acts. She wrote, “I know that I have you on your knees,” and warned, “I will escort you to your demise in a manner more akin to Malcolm X than Martin Luther King Jr.”

Prosecutors argued that Ford’s post constituted a deliberate attempt to intimidate public officials, interfering with their duties and compromising public trust. The officials named in the post testified during the trial, expressing concern over their safety and the potential influence of Ford’s statements on public perception.

Ford’s defense contended that her comments were protected under the First Amendment, framing them as expressions of frustration rather than genuine threats. However, the jury concluded that the language used crossed the line into intimidation.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 16. Ford faces a potential sentence of 9 to 36 months in prison for each count, along with fines up to $10,000 per offense.

In a Facebook post following the verdict, Ford addressed her supporters, stating, “Your support means everything to me. I am okay. God built me to withstand storms like this. I continue to walk in faith and without an ounce of fear.”