Canton man sentenced to 21 to 26 1/2 years in kidnapping case

CANTON, Ohio (WOIO) - A Canton man was sentenced to 21 to 26 1/2 years in prison after being convicted of kidnapping and related charges Wednesday.

According to the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office, 45-year-old Jonathan Bazen was found guilty by a jury of the following:

• Kidnapping with a repeat violent offender specification
• Abduction
• Menacing by stalking
• Domestic violence

The prosecutor’s office states that the charges stem from an incident that escalated when Bazen pointed a firearm at the victim, his live-in partner, and threatened to kill her and her children.

One child reportedly contacted a relative, who picked up the victim and her children and contacted police.

The office adds that the victim told detectives that Bazen physically assaulted her, prevented her from leaving, forced her to undress and threatened to sexually assault her with a firearm while making threats against her and her children.

She said that when she was escorted downstairs with a firearm at her back, she took the opportunity to flee with her children and the relative.

The victim showed detectives more than 100 text messages and voicemails from Bazen demanding that the victim return and asking her not to send him to prison, the prosecutor’s office reports.

Additionally, the relative confirmed that the woman was distressed and, while fleeing the residence, screamed for everyone to run before they left the area.

“The Stark County Prosecutor’s Office remains committed to seeking justice for victims, holding offenders accountable, and protecting our community,” the prosecutor’s office said.