An Ohio dance instructor will spend up to two decades in prison following a 2025 New Year’s Day shooting triggered by the simultaneous exposure of her extramarital affairs. Olivia Clendenin, 29, received a sentence of 16 to 20 years on Thursday for the targeted attack that left an innocent bystander seriously wounded.
The sentence, handed down on March 26, follows Clendenin’s January conviction on several high-level felonies. A Warren County jury found her guilty of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault, and the illegal discharge of a firearm into a habitation.
The violent incident occurred in the early hours of January 1, 2025, at a residence on Dearth Road in Clearcreek Township. According to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, the shooting was the culmination of a domestic dispute that unraveled in real-time.
Investigators revealed that Clendenin’s husband and boyfriend were attending the same holiday party. Earlier that evening, both men reportedly discovered Clendenin’s dual involvement with them. After a series of communications with both individuals, Clendenin drove to the location and discharged eight rounds from a .40 caliber handgun into the home.
While the prosecution argued Clendenin intended to strike the men involved in the dispute, the gunfire instead hit 29-year-old Daniel Johnson. Johnson, who was sitting on the porch at the time of the arrival, was struck in the abdomen.
During the sentencing hearing, Johnson provided a poignant victim impact statement, emphasizing the random nature of the violence.
“I was sitting on the porch minding my business,” Johnson told the court. “The defendant was attempting to shoot at someone else, and I was the one who ended up being shot. In that moment, my life changed for reasons that have nothing to do with me.”
Clendenin addressed the court briefly, stating she was “very, very glad” for Johnson’s recovery and offering him well-wishes for the future. However, the expression of remorse did not sway the court toward leniency, given the severity of the charges and the number of rounds fired into a residential dwelling.
The case may move to the appellate level. Defense attorney Lindsay Arway confirmed that Clendenin intends to file an appeal against the conviction and the subsequent sentence.
For now, Clendenin remains in state custody to begin serving her term, marking the end of a case that captivated the Clearcreek Township community due to its volatile mix of betrayal and near-fatal violence.
