Ohio True Crime Podcaster Convicted of Felony Intimidation Against City Officials

Ashli Ford, a 40-year-old true crime podcaster from Ohio, was convicted on four felony counts of intimidation related to a 2023 Facebook post targeting Norwalk city officials, including Mayor David Light and former police chief David Smith. In her post, Ford accused the officials of corruption and issued threats, stating she would "slowly crumble the reputation" of those obstructing justice and "escort [them] to [their] demise in a manner more akin to Malcolm X than Martin Luther King Jr." The state argued that the post was intended to intimidate public officials and witnesses connected to an ongoing criminal case against Ford, constituting obstruction and intimidation under Ohio law. While Ford was acquitted of other charges such as extortion, telecommunications fraud, and misdemeanor falsification, she now faces sentencing with potential prison time of up to 36 months and fines. The case stems from allegations Ford made about corruption, misspent fines, and a human trafficking drug ring, among other claims. Sentencing is scheduled for June 16.