“As the emails continued, they progressively became more abusive, menacing and intimidating,” according to the affidavit.
In one email, Hitch referred to Ruby Ridge, an 11-day siege and deadly shoot-out in Idaho.
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Hitch was sent an email “ordering him to cease all non-legitimate communication with sheriff’s office employees.”
He was charged on Aug. 15 after Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell contacted the sheriff’s office about emails received the day before from Hitch, according to the affidavit.
Hitch was arrested and charged in Lebanon Municipal Court.
On Aug. 16, Hitch was released on $10,000 bail with electronic monitoring.
The case was bound over for grand jury review.
Fornshell’s office withdrew from the case.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph Deters was appointed after Clermont County Prosecutor Vincent Faris withdrew as appointed prosecutor in the case, according to court records.
Faris withdrew in case charges were also filed against Hitch in Clermont County after “Hitch made some disturbing communications with their office as well,” Fornshell said in a text message.
Hitch has been sent a summons to an arraignment on Oct. 25 in Warren County Common Pleas Court.
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