Who We Are

We are a coalition advocating for changes to recently enacted Ohio law regarding juvenile offenders.

Senate Bill 256, a.k.a the Teen Killer Empowerment Act, went into effect in April of 2021. The law mandates parole eligibility for even the evilest juvenile criminals at the expense of victims.

We are impacted by this terrible law. Some of us are family members of victims who were murdered by juveniles. Others are victim advocates.

What We Need

We need change.

SB 256 has profoundly harmed us. The devastating impact SB 256 has had must be addressed with legislation, a voter initiative, or any other possibility.

Our Stories

May be an image of 14 people and text that says 'OHIO COALITION FOR SAFETY AND FAIRNESS A VOICE FOR VICTIMS AND FAMILIES'

Stories from survivors who have been impacted by the TKEA.

Marie’s Story

In 2015, Jacob Larosa, 15, invaded Marie Belcastro’s home, tried to rape her, and beat her to death with a MAG flashlight. Though he was sentenced to life without parole, SB 256 retroactively reduced his sentence to 25 years to life. Learn about the impact SB 256 has had on Marie’s family here.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Margaret-Douglas-with-doggy.jpg — Margaret

Margaret’s Story

In 2018, Gavon Ramsay, 17, invaded Margaret Douglas’s home, strangled her to death, and then undressed and sexually assaulted her dead body. The aspiring serial killer and diagnosed sexual sadist was sentenced to life without parole. However, SB 256 entitles murderers like him to parole hearings after 25 years. Learn about the impact of SB 256 on Margaret’s family here.

Imran and Joe’s Stories

The Murder of Imran Ashgar — It's Crime O Clock Somewhere — Imran

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Description automatically generated — Joe testifying against Simmonds

Devonere Simmonds, 17, murdered Imran Ashgar and severely wounded Joe during a violent crime spree in July of 2013. On July 24, Simmonds entered the Convenience Plus Food Mart and shot store clerk Imran in the eye before fatally shooting the injured man in the head. On July 27, Simmonds shot Joe in the jaw and robbed him of his truck. Simmonds was sentenced to life without parole plus 48 years for these crimes and the many other crimes he committed during his crime spree. However, because of SB 256, Simmonds is entitled to parole hearings after 30 years. Learn about the impact SB 256 has had on Imran’s widow here. Learn about Joe’s story here.

Michael’s Story

Kyle Patrick murdered Michael Abighanem during an aggravated robbery in 2012. Patrick pleaded guilty and then withdrew his plea. He was subsequently found guilty at trial and received a 33-year-to-life prison sentence. Patrick’s case went to the Ohio Supreme Court, which ruled that a trial court must separately consider a juvenile offender’s youth as a mitigating factor before giving them a life sentence, even one that allows the possibility of parole. Learn about Michael’s story here.

Dawn and Wendy’s Story

Wendy Offredo and Dawn McCreery murdered by Richard Cooey and Clinton Dickens. | Guy Breau's SPACE — Wendy (left) and Dawn (right)

On September 1, 1986, Clinton Dickens, 17 1/2, and Richard Cooey, 19, kidnapped, robbed, raped, and murdered 20-year-old Dawn McCreery and 21-year-old Wendy Offredo. After kidnapping the women at knife point, Dickens and Cooey took them to an isolated wooded area where they raped them. After the women learned Dickens’ first name, Dickens decided to kill them to eliminate them as witnesses. He and Cooey strangled them with shoelaces and beat them with a nightstick. Cooey was sentenced to death and executed for the murders. Dickens was sentenced to life with parole after 95 years. However, SB 256 has reduced his sentence by two-thirds and made him eligible for parole after 30 years. His parole hearing is scheduled for October 2021. Learn about Wendy and Dawn’s story here.

Kevin’s Story

Billy Wayne Smith, along with several others, kidnapped, tortured, and murdered 25-year-old Kevin Burks on November 16, 1987. Smith was sentenced to life with parole after 59 years. He was six weeks away from turning 18 when he murdered Kevin. SB 256 has reduced his sentence to life with parole after 25 years. He now has a parole hearing scheduled for January 2022. Learn about the impact of SB 256 on Kevin’s family here.

Joscelyn and Johnny’s Story

TPD: Toledo teen dies after being stabbed by ex-boyfriend in August | wtol.com — Joscelyn and Johnny

On August 10, 2015, Devontae Brown, 16, invaded 16-year-old Joscelyn and 14-year-old Johnny’s home and committed the following crimes: he raped and stabbed Joscelyn; he stabbed and murdered Johnny; and he stabbed and attempted to murder Joscelyn and Johnny’s mother Josianne. Johnny died on August 10, while Joscelyn died the following month. Though Brown was sentenced to life without parole, SB 256 made him eligible for parole after 30 years. Brown died in 2021. Learn about the Jones siblings’ story here.

T.J.’s Story

Obituary for Timothy J. "T.J." Maust | Heyl Funeral Home — T.J.

In 2019, T.J. Maust fell victim to an extensively planned, cold-blooded murder. He was gunned down in his Ashland home by Michael Watson, 17. Watson also attempted to kill T.J.’s girlfriend. Two other defendants, ages 17 and 18, were present during T.J.’s murder. Another offender, Tyler Morris, was not present during T.J.’s murder but was responsible for planning it. Morris and Watson were both given 38 years to life. But SB 256 has slashed their sentences. Learn about the impact of SB 256 on T.J.’s family here.

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