An Ohio police chief is facing dozens of sex abuse charges after prosecutors say the alleged crimes took place years ago while he was working in positions of authority over young people.
Chad Essert, the police chief in Bethel, Ohio, was indicted on June 11 on 70 counts, according to the Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The charges include 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Prosecutors said the alleged offenses happened between 2005 and 2010, during a time when Essert was working as a Young Marines instructor and a school teacher.
The alleged victim was one of Essert’s students, authorities said. Prosecutors also said the alleged crimes took place in both Hamilton and Clermont counties.
“It takes tremendous courage for a victim to come forward, especially when the accused wears a badge and holds a position of authority,” Clermont County Sheriff Christopher Stratton said in a statement. “Today’s indictment demonstrates that no one is above the law. Every victim deserves to be heard, and every allegation will be thoroughly investigated and pursued in accordance with the law.”
Essert had previously been placed on administrative leave in May, WCPO reported. At the time, the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office was investigating allegations of misconduct while he was in uniform, though officials reportedly said “no criminal act was found at this time.”
He remained on leave while the village of Bethel conducted its own investigation, according to the outlet.
After the indictment, authorities clarified that the newly filed charges are “independent of, and unrelated to,” the earlier investigation reported by local media.
Essert was arrested in Pinellas County, Florida, and has since been extradited back to Ohio. It was not immediately clear whether he had entered a plea.
According to WXIX, Bethel Mayor Jay Dee Noble II said he planned to begin the process of removing Essert from his role as police chief.
“This has been a very difficult time for our village,” Noble said, according to the outlet. “It has caused a great deal of distress for our village employees, especially the other members of our police department.”
The case has stunned the small Ohio village, where Essert held one of the community’s most trusted law enforcement positions.
Authorities have emphasized that the indictment is only the beginning of the legal process, and Essert is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org.
Bethel, Ohio has like 7 sworn officers.👮♀️