On June 25, 2026, at approximately 10:47 a.m., an unidentified male contacted the Clermont County Common Pleas Courthouse, located at 270 E. Main Street in Batavia, and made threats of harm against a judge. Court personnel immediately notified deputies from the Clermont County Sheriff's Office who were assigned to the courthouse.

The Clermont County Sheriff's Office Investigations Division was notified and immediately initiated an investigation into the incident. Detectives responded to the courthouse and began efforts to identify the caller. Using investigative techniques and available resources, detectives identified the suspect as Ian Doty, 41, of Hamilton County.

Detectives subsequently contacted Doty by telephone, during which he admitted to making the call and issuing threats against a sitting Common Pleas Court judge. During the investigation, detectives learned that Doty has prior convictions in three states, including offenses for Importuning, Menacing, Aggravated Menacing, Disorderly Conduct, Burglary, Failure to Provide Notice of Change of Address, Attempted Abduction, and Attempted Felony Sexual Assault.

As a result of the investigation, detectives charged Doty with one count of Intimidation, a felony of the third degree.

Doty was taken into custody without incident in San Diego California by the San Diego Police Department and transported to San Diego County Jail.  Doty will be extradited back to Clermont County once he signs a waiver of extradition to face the aforementioned charges at a later date. 

Ian Doty, age 41

(Clermont County Jail booking photo from 2018)