A Cleveland man will serve one year in state prison after pleading guilty in the stabbing of a 15-year-old girl in Cleveland Heights. The attack left the teen with multiple lacerations and happened inside a home in the 3900 block of Monticello Boulevard in the early morning hours of Dec. 9, 2025. The case drew local attention after three people were taken into custody at the scene.
Leshawn Chandler, 38, pleaded guilty to reduced counts of assault and obstructing official business and was sentenced by Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Brendan Sheehan to one year at the Lorain Correctional Institution, according to Cleveland 19. The plea resolves Chandler's criminal case, although other proceedings tied to the December attack remain possible.
Cleveland Heights police say officers arrived around 12:45 a.m. on Dec. 9 and found the 15-year-old with "multiple lacerations," a department release said. Early reports note two adult males and a 17-year-old girl were taken into custody at the scene, as reported by WJW.
Reduced Charges And A Short Prison Term
Chandler had originally faced aggravated burglary and other felony counts before accepting the plea deal that cut his charges to assault and obstructing official business. The case against co-defendant Timothy Willis, 41, was dismissed without prejudice, meaning prosecutors could refile those counts in the future, according to Cleveland 19.
What "Dismissed Without Prejudice" Really Means
A dismissal labeled "without prejudice" generally means prosecutors keep the option to bring the charges again later rather than being permanently blocked from doing so, according to the Legal Information Institute. It is a procedural label and does not itself decide whether the underlying accusations are true.
What Comes Next In The Case
Chandler's one-year term will be served at a state facility, and the plea closes his criminal case for now while related matters could still move forward. Administrative and Presiding Judge Brendan Sheehan, who leads the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, presided over the hearing, per the court's website. Prosecutors or defense attorneys could return to court in the coming weeks if motions or new filings are made.
