Frederick L. Harroff enters Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Thursday before pleading guilty to charges related to a baseball bat attack against a woman in Columbiana last year, including attempted murder. Sentencing is set for 2 p.m. April 24. Also pictured is county Chief Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Weikart. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

LISBON — A Columbiana man who attacked a woman with a baseball bat and set the residence on fire pleaded guilty Thursday to multiple felonies, including attempted murder, aggravated arson, felonious assault, kidnapping and strangulation.

Frederick L. Harroff, 66, last known address Columbiana Lisbon Road, will face sentencing at 2 p.m. April 24 in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court before Judge Scott Washam. He appeared for the plea hearing in the custody of a deputy sheriff, accompanied by his appointed defense attorney, T. Robert Bricker.

The prosecution was represented by county Assistant Prosecutor Alec Beech and county Chief Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Weikart.

Washam explained at the beginning there was a resolution to the case, but there was no plea agreement. He also noted the presence of the victim and her family members. There was no sentencing recommendation made by the prosecution.

Harroff pleaded guilty 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. Another count of felonious assault will be dismissed. He was indicted on the charges in August 2025. He was originally charged with felonious assault in county Municipal Court shortly after the attack. The affidavit filed in the case said he repeatedly attacked the woman with a heavy wooden baseball bat over her head and body while she was laying in bed, causing severe physical harm on June 2, 2025 in Columbiana, Fairfield Township.

One of the aggravated arson charges from the indictment dealt with him setting the house on fire trying to harm the woman and the other dealt with the fire causing damage to a neighboring property. He also held the woman against her will.

After the hearing, Weikart explained that some of the charges could merge for sentencing or they may not merge. Attorneys for both sides were instructed by the judge to submit briefs on sentencing and any sentencing issues, such as merging of some charges for purposes of sentencing. During a case, if two charges are the same stemming from the same instance, they merge for sentencing. The prosecution will also submit police reports, statements and photographs related to the case.

During the plea hearing, Washam questioned Harroff about whether he understood the consequences of his plea, what rights he was giving up and advised him of the possible punishment for each charge.

With the exception of the strangulation charge, the other counts are qualifying offenses, meaning that whatever term the judge issues, the defendant can receive an additional amount equal to half of that term. Whether the defendant serves the additional time for a qualifying offense is up to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.

Washam said the possible maximum penalty for each of the first-degree felonies, which include attempted murder, aggravated arson and kidnapping, would be 11 years up to 16.5 years in prison. For the second-degree felonies of aggravated arson and felonious assault, the maximum penalty for each count would be eight years up to 12 years. The strangulation charge, which is a fourth-degree felony, carries a maximum sentence of 18 months. A decision could be made for charges to be served consecutively, or one after the other, which would lead to a very lengthy sentence.

Due to the arson charges, Harroff also becomes subject to the arson registry, requiring an arson offender to register annually with the sheriff’s office of the county of residence once released from prison.

Harroff remains held in the county jail without bond after previously stipulating to the prosecution’s request to have his $500,000 cash or surety bond revoked due to violating the terms by contacting the victim with letters from jail.

Still pending is a separate case against Harroff for charges of menacing by stalking and attempted intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness in a criminal case, both fourth-degree felonies, for allegedly engaging in a pattern of conduct causing another to believe he would cause them harm from Sept. 3, 2025 to Dec. 4, 2025. The attempted intimidation stems from an attempt of alleged intimidation on Dec. 4, 2025.

The jury trial in the menacing and intimidation case remains set for 9 a.m. July 14, with a final status hearing at 9:40 a.m. July 6, both before Common Pleas Court Judge Megan Bickerton.

Bond was set at $100,000 cash or surety in that case, with Harroff under orders to have no contact with the victim or any state witnesses.