MOUNT VERNON — Justin L. Ross, 34, of Mount Vernon, was sentenced to 30 days in jail by Mount Vernon Municipal Court Judge John Thatcher on Monday for aggravated menacing and telecommunications harassment.
Authorities arrested Ross and seized a firearm on Nov. 21, 2025 after a standoff led to the Knox Learning Center’s evacuation.
The defendant was sentenced on two cases. The cases with their appropriate charges are below:
- Case 1a: Aggravated menacing, first-degree misdemeanor.
- Case 1b: Telecommunications harassment, first-degree misdemeanor.
- Case 2: Aggravated menacing, first-degree misdemeanor.
In Case 1a, the court sentenced Ross to serve 180 days in Knox County jail, with 150 days suspended.
Additionally, the defendant must serve a two-year term of community control.
“While on community control, the defendant is to commit no further criminal offenses,” Thatcher said.
“He is to complete a mental health assessment within the next 60 days, comply with treatment recommendations [and he] is to comply with all terms of supervision.”
Thatcher also ruled that Ross is prohibited from possessing a firearm or deadly weapon and must sign a no-contact order with three individuals.
In Case 1b, Thatcher handed Ross an additional 30 days in jail to be served concurrently to Case 1a.
In Case 2, the court sentenced Ross to another 30 days in Knox County jail also to be served concurrently to the days from Case 1.
Ross will serve a total of 30 days in jail between Case 1a, Case 1b and Case 2.
The court allowed Ross to schedule his jail time, but ordered that it must start within the next 14 days.