(a) No person shall knowingly cause another to believe that the offender will cause serious physical harm to the person or property of the other person, such other person's unborn, or a member of such other person's immediate family. In addition to any other basis for the other person’s belief that the offender will cause serious physical harm to the person or property of the other person, the other person’s unborn, or a member of the other person’s immediate family, the other person’s belief may be based on words or conduct of the offender that are directed at or identify a corporation, association, or other organization that employs the other person or to which the other person belongs.
(b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of aggravated menacing. Except as otherwise provided in this division (b), aggravated menacing is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the victim of the offense is an officer or employee of a public children services agency or a private child placing agency and the offense relates to the officer's or employee's performance or anticipated performance of official responsibilities or duties, aggravated menacing is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate State law or, if the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense of violence, the victim of that prior offense was an officer or employee of a public children services agency or private child placing agency, and that prior offense related to the officer's or employee's performance or anticipated performance of official responsibilities or duties, a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate State law.
(c) As used in this section, “Organization” includes an entity that is a governmental employer.
(ORC 2903.21)
(d) If the victim of the offense is a utility worker whom the offender knows or has reasonable cause to know is a utility worker, if the victim is engaged in the lawful performance of the victim's duties, and if the offender threatens the victim with a deadly weapon with intent to unlawfully obstruct the operation of a utility, aggravated menacing is a felony of the fourth degree. As used in this section, "organization" includes an entity whose primary responsibility is the operation or maintenance of a utility. "Utility" means an enterprise that provides gas, electric, steam, water, sewage, transportation, communication services, or cable and broadband services, whether publicly or privately owned. (Ord. 11237-2022. Passed 3-15-22.)