Lima Man Granted Judicial Release After Serving 8 Months of a 4-Year Prison Sentence in Hardin County Case

A Lima man was granted judicial release after serving 8 months of a 48-month prison sentence.

According to Hardin County Common Pleas Court documents, 33-year-old Branden L. McMillen was sentenced in February of this year after pleading guilty to one count each of attempted corrupting another with drugs and tampering with evidence.

He was indicted in July of 2025 on charges of involuntary manslaughter, trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, corrupting another with drugs, possession of a fentanyl-related compound, and tampering with evidence in connection to the death of a woman in January of 2022.

McMillen’s attorney filed for judicial release last month indicting that his client has spent his time in the institution “wisely and productively and has completed numerous programs and earned numerous certificates.”

The Hardin County Prosecutor’s Office, on behalf of the State of Ohio, stated in its response that it did not oppose judicial release “for the defendant to be placed directly into the W.O.R.T.H. Center or any other treatment that the Court deems appropriate.”

Judge Steve Christopher found that McMillen is now amenable to community control sanctions and granted judicial release.

McMillen was placed on five years community control with conditions.

He must enter into and successfully complete a community based correctional center program as determined by the Court and follow all recommendations for after-care unless he enters into the Hardin County Recovery Court program.

He was then released into the custody of the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office.