ATHENS, Ohio — Athens County Commissioner Charlie Adkins’ third-degree felony intimidation charge was dismissed without prejudice Friday at his arraignment in the Athens County Courthouse.
The state asked that the charge be dismissed, pending further investigation. Visiting Judge John Wallace granted the special prosecutors’ motion to dismiss without prejudice.
The Athens County Prosecutor’s Office, overseen by Keller Blackburn, presented Adkins’ possible charge to an Athens County grand jury April 3. The grand jury indicted Adkins on one third-degree felony count of intimidation, in relation to the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office’s ongoing case against former Athens County Jobs and Family Services Director Jean Demosky.
ACPO then requested the special prosecutor for the case.
Judge Wallace said at the hearing that because Adkins’ intimidation charge was dismissed without prejudice, it could be brought back against him. He also lifted Adkins’ bond.
Demosky allegedly racked up a $2.5 million debt for the county by misspending over $4.6 million at the agency. As part of this misspending, the Athens County Prosecutor has accused her of inappropriately using public dollars to support a private nonprofit, the Athens County Community Cares Fund. She’s been charged with several third- and second-degree felonies, including intimidation.
The prosecutor’s office’s amended indictment filed April 6 in Demosky’s case included details about Adkins’ intimidation allegations (Adkins’ indictment did not contain details about the allegation). Demosky’s indictment stated:
A whistleblower letter was sent to the Athens County Commissioners in September of 2025 alleging the misdoings of Demosky. As a result, Demosky and Charlie Adkins then began interrogating employees of ACDJFS to determine who wrote the letter. Employees were also threatened that their handwriting would be submitted for handwriting analysis. … Demosky’s retaliatory reactions to employees bringing issues to her or other’s attention tracked on creating an environment of intimidation.
Adkins’ attorney Bob Toy after the hearing Friday distributed paper copies of a press release to members of the media. The press release addressed the “whistleblower letter” mentioned in Demosky’s indictment, describing it as “unsigned, incoherent” and “rambling.”
Additionally, the press release stated:
A letter was submitted by an apparent employee of Athens County who chose not to follow the procedures set forth in the employee manual. If that employee had concerns they should have signed a letter and initiated a complaint in the three step process. … If an employee chooses not to follow those procedures then they are in violation of the employee handbook and an investigation can be conducted as to who wrote the unsigned letter if it disparages or threatens another employee. That is what was done in this case.
The press release also included denials of the allegations against Adkins.
“Charlie Adkins at no time intimidated a witness or engaged in improper conduct in any manner,” the press release stated. “… it is important to note that a grand jury is a mere charging instrument and not proof of any guilt. A noted jurist once stated ‘A grand jury can indict a ham sandwich.’”
Adkins is currently serving his fourth consecutive term as county commissioner.
Special prosecutor Seth Enlow declined to comment on the case following the hearing.
