Ezekiel Ananias James was sentenced to prison in Oregon, Ohio for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend. He received a prison term of 30 to 39.5 years on October 2.
James, 20, entered a no contest plea on September 18, Lucas County Prosecutors said. He accepted a plea agreement for involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault.
His girlfriend, 18-year-old Haiden Babiuch, was shot and killed on Dec. 6, 2025. The shooting happened in a home on Crestway Drive.
Police reports show the couple lived at the house with family members of James. Grand jurors indicted James on Jan. 13 on charges of aggravated murder, two counts of murder and felonious assault.
James told his family and police officers on the day of the shooting that Babiuch shot herself. He told police everything was going alright in her life except for their relationship.
James claimed Babiuch worried about him leaving her. He claimed she had cheated on him while he was in jail.
James told investigators he brought the gun into the house, a police report said. He told them he did not know how Babiuch knew it was there.
Officers took James to the police station for questioning. He was released later as the investigation continued.
Babiuch planned to leave the Oregon home overnight before the shooting, family members told police. The couple talked. She changed her mind.
Court records show James was released from jail on Dec. 2. That was less than a week before the shooting.
His prior convictions include carrying a concealed weapon, tampering with evidence and unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance.
A no contest plea allows a defendant to accept a conviction without admitting guilt. Judges then issue sentences based on the agreed charges.
The case concluded in the Lucas County court system following the plea agreement.
