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A Delaware County judge has abruptly retired amid a criminal investigation into allegations that he forced a young assistant prosecutor to engage in sexual acts in his chambers, stalked her with tens of thousands of messages, and violated a protection order after she asked him to stop.
Judge James Schuck is the Delaware County Ohio Judge Accused of Sexual Assault of an Assistant Prosecutor who submitted retirement letters on June 11, 2026, to Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy, with an effective retirement date of June 15. No reason was provided in either letter. Schuck had been on voluntary leave since November 2025 after the alleged victim filed for a civil stalking protection order against him. His term was set to run through the end of 2030. Governor DeWine is expected to appoint a replacement.
According to the alleged victim, Schuck — who presided over cases prosecuted by the Delaware County Prosecutor's Office — allegedly pressured her into sexual acts in his judicial chambers and sent her tens of thousands of text and social media messages pressuring her for sex over a period of months. The alleged victim told investigators that he continued to contact her even after she asked him to stop and allegedly violated a protection order.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is conducting an active criminal investigation into the allegations. No criminal charges have been filed as of the time of reporting. Schuck has denied all allegations of criminal conduct, stating through his attorney that he acknowledges engaging in a personal relationship outside his marriage but maintains that no criminal conduct occurred.
The factual information above was sourced from nbc4i.com as of June 22, 2026. The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a person in a position of judicial or legal authority is accused of sexual assault, survivors may face unique challenges in pursuing accountability. Legal Herald editor Paul Amess spoke with Ohio sexual abuse attorney John Bey, Esq., about the civil legal options that may be available to survivors in cases involving alleged sexual misconduct by individuals in positions of significant institutional power.
Paul Amess: John, when someone in a position of judicial authority is accused of sexually assaulting a person over whom they held professional power, what civil legal options may be available?
John Bey, Esq.: Cases involving alleged sexual misconduct by someone in a position of significant institutional authority can give rise to serious civil claims. When the alleged conduct involves the exploitation of a professional power dynamic — particularly one in which the alleged victim had professional obligations that intersected with the accused's authority — it raises important civil questions about coercion, hostile work environment, and institutional accountability. Survivors in these situations should speak with an experienced attorney to understand the full scope of civil remedies that may be available to them.
Paul Amess: In cases where no criminal charges have yet been filed but a civil protection order has been sought and a criminal investigation is ongoing, can a survivor still explore civil legal options?
John Bey, Esq.: Absolutely. Civil claims operate on an entirely separate legal track from criminal proceedings. A survivor does not need to wait for criminal charges to be filed — or for a criminal case to conclude — before pursuing civil legal remedies. In fact, acting early in the civil process is often in a survivor's best interest, as time limits apply and early legal guidance gives survivors the clearest picture of their rights and options.
Paul Amess: What would you say to a survivor in Ohio who has been subjected to alleged sexual misconduct by someone in a position of significant power or authority?
John Bey, Esq.: Your rights matter regardless of who the accused is or how much power they hold. Speaking with an experienced attorney as soon as possible is the most important step any survivor can take. An initial consultation is completely confidential and free of charge — no survivor should have to face this alone.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of sexual assault, harassment, or misconduct by any individual in Ohio — including someone in a position of authority — you may have the right to pursue civil action and recover financial compensation. Contact The Legal Herald today to be connected with an experienced Ohio sexual abuse attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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