Aaron Knapp, a candidate for Lorain City Council’s Ward 6 seat, has filed a response contesting a temporary protection order issued against him earlier this month. A hearing to review the order, originally scheduled for Monday, has been postponed and is now scheduled for Friday.
In addition to contesting the protection order, Knapp filed a nine-page response with the court outlining his position. In the filing, he denied the allegations, argued that the claims were based on hearsay without direct evidence, and submitted supporting documentation for the court’s review. Knapp also requested that the protection order be vacated, asked for the court to consider issuing protection orders against other individuals involved, and raised concerns about the handling of the case.
The temporary protection order, issued by Lorain County Common Pleas Magistrate Laura Dezort, prohibits Knapp from contacting Tia Hilton, her husband, and her son. It also requires Knapp to stay at least 500 feet away from them at all times and bars any communication through phone, email, or electronic means. The order was issued through an ex parte process, a standard practice under Ohio law that allows temporary protection to be granted without a hearing from the accused, pending a full review.
Hilton sought the protection order after alleging that Knapp made threatening remarks about her, including that he wanted her dead. She reported being contacted by a journalist and by Lorain Police Chief James McCann, who informed her about an alleged threat. Hilton later documented her concerns in a court filing requesting protection.
Following these allegations, the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office became involved. Deputies contacted Hilton to assess the situation after being notified of the alleged threat. A report was generated; however, according to filings and public statements, the Sheriff’s Office found no direct evidence such as recordings or firsthand witness accounts confirming that a threat had been made. No criminal charges were filed by the Sheriff’s Office as a result of their investigation.
The involvement of Lorain Police Chief James McCann has also drawn attention. McCann contacted Hilton to inform her of the alleged threat, prompting a response from the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office. However, in later public statements, McCann described his role as limited to a civic duty, stating he merely passed along information without conducting an investigation. Knapp has pointed to inconsistencies between McCann’s outreach and the Sheriff’s Office report, which indicated the allegations were based on secondhand accounts with no direct evidence.
Jon Paul Morrow, a local political activist and candidate for Sheffield Lake City Council, also provided information during the investigation. Morrow indicated that he had heard Knapp express anger toward Hilton but stated that he did not directly hear a death threat. In public statements, Morrow reportedly claimed that Knapp said he would “like to see that bitch dead,” but stopped short of alleging Knapp threatened to act on it.
In his filings, Knapp categorically denied making any such statements. He argued that Morrow’s account was inaccurate and stated that he possesses transcripts of their communications that contradict the claims. Knapp further asserts that Morrow’s descriptions of events have varied between his original police statement and subsequent comments made to the media.
Knapp maintains that the allegations against him are based entirely on hearsay and political motivations tied to his candidacy. In his filings, Knapp also stated that he and Hilton have never met in person and alleged that Hilton had made numerous public comments about him online, including statements he described as defamatory.
The hearing originally set for Monday was postponed due to a previously scheduled medical appointment unrelated to the legal matter. The rescheduled hearing will now take place Friday and will be overseen by Judge Christopher Rothgery. This follows standard court procedure, as the magistrate who issues a temporary protection order is not necessarily the same judicial officer who presides over the full hearing.
No criminal charges have been filed against Knapp regarding the protection order allegations. Prosecutors have declined to pursue any charges based on the evidence reviewed.
Knapp is representing himself in the case and has not retained an attorney. In his court filings, he submitted legal arguments and evidence challenging the basis of the protection order.
Knapp remains the Republican candidate for Lorain City Council’s Ward 6. He is running unopposed in the May primary and will face Democrat Angel Arroyo in the November general election.
The outcome of the hearing will determine whether the temporary protection order will be continued, modified, or dismissed.