Former Columbiana man convicted of attempted murder earns additional time for menacing, intimidation

LISBON -- A former Columbiana man already sentenced to at least 39 years in prison for trying to kill a woman last year earned an additional year for menacing and attempted intimidation of the same woman via letters sent from jail.

Frederick L. Harroff, 67, appeared via video from the Lake Erie Correctional Center for a plea and sentencing hearing Monday in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court before Judge Megan Bickerton.

Harroff had nothing to say when given the opportunity to speak.

He entered a guilty plea to menacing by stalking and attempted intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness in a criminal case, both fourth-degree felonies, for engaging in a pattern of conduct causing another to believe he would cause them harm from Sept. 3, 2025 to Dec. 4, 2025.

While Harroff's case for attempted murder, aggravated arson, kidnapping and other charges remained pending in 2025, he started sending letters to the victim -- letters that county Assistant Prosecutor Alec Beech described as "disturbing and threatening."

The survivor of the June 2, 2025 attack was present in the courtroom, introducing herself to the judge as "the victim of the defendant's heinous actions."

She said he continued to do what he had always done, thinking he was above the law, even while he was in jail.

She asked the judge to give him "as much time as you possibly can so he never gets out of prison."

Beech recommended a sentence of 12 months for each count, to be served concurrently with each other, but consecutive to the term he's already serving, bringing his definite total to 40 years in prison.

His defense attorney, T. Robert Bricker, asked the judge to consider making the terms concurrent with his current prison term for no additional time. He said Harroff has been undergoing mental health counseling and is working on his mental health issues. Prior to the events that landed him in prison, he hadn't been in trouble before.

"There's a good chance he'll never get out of prison," Bricker said.

Bickerton followed the prosecution's recommendation for the additional year in prison, consecutive to the other sentence.

"You're asking for mercy when you didn't stop your conduct," Bickerton told Harroff.

After his initial attack, she said he continued a course of conduct to terrorize the victim while he was incarcerated. She hoped he was working on his issues and told him "I hope you're changing to become a better person."

Considering his age now, Harroff won't be eligible for release until he's at least 107 years old.

Harroff pleaded guilty in March to first-degree felonies of attempted murder, aggravated arson and kidnapping, second-degree felonies of aggravated arson and felonious assault and fourth-degree felony strangulation for the physical attack which happened on June 2, 2025 when he repeatedly struck the woman with a heavy wooden baseball bat over her head and body while she was laying in bed, tried to choke her, detain her and then set the house on fire with her still in it.

In a motion to revoke bond in that case while it remained pending, Beech cited multiple dates when the defendant, while in jail, wrote to the victim starting Sept. 4, 2025. The addressee and return address were altered, but the contents clearly indicated the letter was from the defendant and intended for the victim. The jail personnel started monitoring his mail in an effort to prevent future contacts with the victim. A second letter was sent to the victim on Sept. 12, 2025. On Dec. 5, 2025, the prosecution was notified that jail staff seized two additional letters before they left the jail. The second case resulted from those letters being sent.

County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam sentenced Harroff earlier this year to at least 39 years in prison, with a possible maximum sentence of 44 1/2 years in prison if the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections decides to keep him longer. An appeal of that sentence remains pending.