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A Cincinnati ICE supervisor remains in custody after being arrested for allegedly strangling his girlfriend during a violent dispute.
Samuel Saxon, who serves as an assistant field office director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), faces multiple felony counts in Hamilton County. Additionally, there is a new federal indictment.
Details of the strangling allegations
According to court documents, Cincinnati Police arrested Saxon on December 5, 2025, following a domestic disturbance in the Corryville neighborhood. This incident has led to allegations claiming he strangled the victim.
Witnesses reported seeing Saxon place a woman in a chokehold and attempt to drag her into an apartment. Responding officers noted visible injuries on the victim’s neck, consistent with reported claims of strangling.
Prosecutors allege that this incident is part of a broader pattern of abuse. During an arraignment hearing, Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Melinda Rinehart stated that police had been called to the couple’s residence 23 times in the last 18 months.
Despite the severity of the claims, the victim has reportedly been uncooperative with investigators, a common challenge in domestic violence prosecutions.
Local and federal charges mount
Saxon initially faced state-level charges of felonious assault, domestic violence, and strangulation. However, the legal situation escalated this week. On December 17, a federal grand jury indicted Saxon on one count of making false statements to a federal law enforcement officer.
Reported by WVXU News, the federal charge stems from allegedly fraudulent statements Saxon made to a Special Agent from the Department of Homeland Security during the initial investigation. He is currently being held at the Butler County Jail on a federal detainer.
Rising domestic violence in Ohio
The arrest of a high-ranking federal official comes at a time when Ohio is seeing a significant increase in domestic abuse cases. According to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, there was a 38% spike in intimate partner fatalities between July 2024 and June 2025.
- 157 fatalities were recorded in Ohio during the most recent reporting period.
- 12% of perpetrators in these fatal cases had a known history of related claims such as strangling allegations.
- 37% of perpetrators had prior felony records.
- 35% of cases occurred as a relationship was ending.
Advocates point out that strangling allegations are often a high-risk indicator for future lethality. The presence of such a history in a law enforcement supervisor has raised concerns. These concerns focus on internal vetting processes within federal agencies.
Impact on ICE operations
The agency has confirmed that Saxon is currently suspended from his role as assistant field office director. This position involves overseeing Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in the Cincinnati suboffice. This is not the first time the local office has faced scandal. Earlier this year, another former Cincinnati ICE officer was sentenced to 12 years in prison for violating the civil rights of immigrants under his supervision.
The Cincinnati Exchange previously covered local law enforcement reform and the challenges of policing high-ranking officials. Critics argue that the repeated involvement of police at Saxon’s home—23 times without an arrest—suggests he may have received preferential treatment due to his status.
A history of alleged violence
Prosecutor Rinehart detailed a history of violence stretching back several years. In 2018, while living in Virginia, Saxon allegedly broke the victim’s nose, requiring her to undergo surgery. Another incident in April 2025 allegedly resulted in the victim suffering a fractured pelvis. Yet no charges were filed at that time.
During the December 12 hearing, Saxon’s defense attorney, Tad Brittingham, emphasized that his client has no prior criminal record. He argued that the victim had reached out to him claiming she was not injured and providing photographs to support her claim. Despite these assertions, a judge set Saxon’s bond at $400,000.
Next steps in the legal process
If Saxon posts bail, he will be required to wear an electronic monitoring device and is strictly prohibited from possessing firearms or contacting the victim. His next court appearance is scheduled for late December regarding the federal indictment.
The case continues to draw scrutiny toward the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to monitor its own agents. As the investigation into strangling allegations continues, local prosecutors remain committed to pursuing the case. They proceed even without the victim’s testimony, citing the need to protect the community from recurring violence.
Also read:
Expanding a Proven Model: Youth Violence Prevention Efforts Come to Cincinnati
Cincinnati’s Crime Reporting Concerns: Is the Data Accurate?
