A local activist and hostel operator was indicted by an Athens County Grand Jury Friday on one count of trespassing after he allegedly entered a pregnant woman’s room and shoved her.
Chad Kister, 4592 Bessemer Road in Nelsonville, was indicted by a grand jury on one count of trespassing in a habitation, a fourth-degree felony, according to court documents.
The charges stem from an incident April 15 when Kister allegedly forced his way into the room of Alicia Barnes, who was leasing a room in the hostel he operates on the second floor of his house. He allegedly shoved Barnes, who was five months pregnant at the time of the incident, according to court documents.
Kister said Barnes violated her lease by “committing daily criminal damage” to the bamboo plants on the land surrounding his hostel. Kister said he confronted Barnes to evict her because of the damages.
Barnes testified at Kister’s preliminary hearing in Athens County Municipal Court April 25 that Kister called her three to four times a day questioning her about the bamboo plants. Barnes paid $300 to rent the room for 30 days but only stayed for six because she said she felt threatened by Kister.
Kister could be sentenced to a maximum of 18 months in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000 if convicted of his charge, according to the Ohio Revised Code.
Kister’s arraignment hearing in the Athens County Court of Common Pleas is scheduled for May 30 at 8:30 a.m.
ml147009@ohiou.edu
