Judicial release granted for Cadiz man

Anthony Troyer of Cadiz, who pleaded guilty to gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony, in December 2023 and was sentenced to two years of probation, 80 hours of community service and a three-year reserve sentence, later admitted to violating supervision.

Troyer was sentenced in January 2025 to 36 months in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for the violation. After serving a little more than a year in prison, he was granted judicial release at a hearing Feb. 3.

Troyer appeared by video from the jail and was represented by Harrison County Public Defender C. Adrian Pincola. Judge T. Shawn Hervey said the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction did not oppose Troyer’s early release after he served at least 12 months.

It was not clear what violation Troyer committed, but Hervey read from a review stating Troyer had no infractions while in prison and “kept up his end of the bargain.”

Hervey said Troyer was appropriate for placement at the Eastern Ohio Correction Center and granted judicial release. Troyer was placed on two years of community-control sanctions, with the balance of his 36-month sentence held in reserve, and was ordered to complete 40 hours of community service.

Also appearing was Preston G. Smalley, 49, of Bowerston, for a bond hearing after testing positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine and marijuana. Smalley was initially charged with assault, a fourth-degree felony, and resisting arrest, a first-degree misdemeanor. Hervey noted Smalley was serving time in the Harrison County Jail on a probation violation.

Harrison County Prosecutor Lauren Knight said the state needed time to confer with other authorities “just to verify some things” before making an offer. She did not object to a reduction in bond but opposed a recognizance bond. Hervey reduced Smalley’s bond to $20,000, a $10,000 reduction, subject to post-release control requirements.