Federal prosecutors want the maximum five-year prison sentence for Samuel Saxon, a former ICE supervisor based at the agency's Blue Ash office.

Saxon, 47, pleaded guilty to a federal charge of lying to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) investigator about his domestic violence arrest, Fox 19 first reported. His sentencing hearing began Tuesday, Oct. 20, in federal court.

The accounts differ on when a sentence will come down. Fox 19 reported the sentencing was delayed until the following week. WLWT reported that prosecutors made their arguments Tuesday and the defense will present its case Thursday, Oct. 22, with a judge to sentence Saxon after that.

Saxon held a senior supervisory role on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) civil side at the Blue Ash office for nearly two decades, according to federal court records. Cincinnati police arrested him Dec. 6, 2025, on charges of felonious assault, strangulation and domestic violence. He was suspended from ICE after the arrest.

Prosecutors allege pattern of abuse

A 33-page federal sentencing memo alleges years of abuse against Saxon's ex-girlfriend, who is the mother of his children, according to Fox 19.

At Saxon's arraignment on state charges, a Hamilton County assistant prosecutor said police had been called to the couple's Corryville apartment 22 times over roughly a year and a half. The woman had several serious prior injuries, the prosecutor said.

Federal court records describe a Dec. 5, 2025, incident in which a neighbor saw Saxon dragging the woman down a hallway in a chokehold, screaming about a check, then pulling her inside the apartment. Videos captured screaming and slapping, according to the records. Police found the woman with neck bruising consistent with strangulation, federal authorities said.

After his 1 a.m. arrest on Dec. 6, Saxon waived his Miranda rights and repeatedly told investigators he had only spoken to the woman by phone that day. He denied in-person contact even after being told witnesses saw choking and the woman had neck bruises, according to the federal complaint against him.

That lie became the federal charge.

Prosecutors and defense far apart

Federal prosecutors asked U.S. District Court Judge Matthew McFarland for five years in prison plus three years of supervised release. They also sought to have Saxon repay the cost of his court-appointed attorney from his $800,000 in retirement savings, Fox 19 reported.

Saxon's defense attorneys asked for one year and one day. They cited his decades of government service, including 22 awards and a 2016 Secretary's Meritorious Service Medal, according to court filings. Saxon has already been in custody for nearly a year, his attorneys noted, and has lost his career.

His defense team also said supportive colleagues contradict the time-fraud allegations prosecutors raised in their memo. Saxon was not charged in connection with those claims.

State charges still pending

The state case was put on hold while the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio pursued the federal charge. A Hamilton County grand jury indicted Saxon on felonious assault, two counts of strangulation, assault and domestic violence.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Alan C. Triggs has been assigned to oversee the state case. No future court dates have been scheduled. If convicted on the state charges, Saxon could face decades in prison, according to Fox 19.

Saxon remains in federal custody at the Campbell County Detention Center in Newport.