Former Austintown Trustee Steve Kent denied early prison release

Steve Kent

A Mahoning County judge has denied former Austintown trustee and ex-police officer Steve Kent's latest request for early release from jail.

Judge John M. Durkin overruled Kent's motion for judicial release, filed May 13, 2025, according to court records. The one-sentence ruling did not explain Judge Durkin’s reason for the denial.

This marks Kent's second attempt at early release, with Judge Durkin previously denying a similar motion in December.

Kent is serving a one-year jail sentence after being convicted of tampering with evidence related to his cell phone in a case involving a former Poland student while serving as a school resource officer at the school. He was acquitted of three other charges, including sexual battery.

Kent was released from the Mahoning County Jail for nearly a year while his case was under appeal. The Seventh District Court of Appeals upheld his conviction for tampering with evidence.

Kent's expected release date or parole eligibility date is Sept. 11, 2025.