Ohio man sanctioned for contacting teenage victim from prison: court

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — A man arrested on a parole violation for having what prosecutors say was a sexual relationship with a teenager has been punished in federal court.

During a contempt of court conference Tuesday, court records show Brandon Turjonis, 36, violated a May 16, 2024, no-contact order with the teen.

Not only did he violate the order, prosecutors say, but he contacted the girl more than 100 times by phone and attempted to contact her 232 times from the Mahoning County Jail, where he has been held since his arrest on May 6. The calls took place between May 16 and June 24, according to court records.

Turjonis admitted to violating his parole conditions, according to court documents, and was sentenced to six months in federal prison for the offense. However, this sentence will not begin until charges are filed against him in the teenage sex case. For now, he is charged with violating his parole conditions.

The judge ruled the state has 30 days to file charges against Turjonis in the sex case. The investigation continues into the allegations of sex with the teen. Investigators believe Turjonis began a relationship with the girl despite warnings from his probation officer.

The judge also ordered that Turjonis' phone and all other communications devices and privileges at the Mahoning County Jail be revoked until July 5.

A status conference is scheduled for August 8.

Turjonis was initially convicted of a weapons offense. In 2020, police arrested him after a confrontation in Youngstown's South Side. He was sentenced to just under four years in federal prison, but the time he had served before sentencing was deducted and he was eventually released on parole.

Kristy Regula contributed to this report.