On August 2nd, former Seaman Police Officer James Stokes Sr. reported to the Adams County Jail to begin serving a 180-day sentence following his conviction in June. The case, brought by Adams County Prosecuting Attorney Aaron Haslam, stems from charges filed in January of this year.
Stokes was found guilty of unlawfully accessing the Law Enforcement Automated Database System (LEADS) between June 10 and June 12, 2023. LEADS is a critical system for law enforcement in Ohio, serving as the focal point for all data and messages entered by agencies across the state. It provides access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I), and the Interstate Identification Index (III). Additionally, LEADS utilizes both NCIC and the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) to process out-of-state inquiries about persons, vehicles, or licenses, and to send and receive administrative messages. Approximately 17,000 devices throughout Ohio access LEADS functions, making it an essential tool for law enforcement.
In addition to the LEADS violation, Stokes also pleaded guilty to committing theft in office between July 13 and July 15, 2023. As a result of his actions, Stokes has been barred from using the LEADS program in any employment capacity going forward.
Stokes’ sentence includes three years of community control, 250 hours of community service beginning in April 2025, and a $2,000 fine. He reported to the Adams County Jail on Friday, August 2, at 6:00 p.m. to begin serving his sentence.
