Bethel Police Chief Faces 70-Count Indictment for Alleged Sexual Misconduct
Prosecutors say the charges stem from allegations that Essert abused a student over five years, and he faces up to 280 years if convicted.
- On Thursday, Bethel Police Chief Chad Essert was indicted on 70 felony counts, including 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, according to a Clermont County grand jury.
- Prosecutors state the alleged offenses occurred between 2005 and 2010 while Essert was an instructor at the Young Marines and a teacher at Scarlet Oaks Career Campus in Sharonville, involving a student across multiple Clermont and Hamilton county locations.
- Following the indictment, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Tactical Investigations Section took Essert into custody without incident Thursday evening in Seminole, Florida; he remains held at the Pinellas County Jail pending extradition to Clermont County.
- Clermont County Sheriff Chris Stratton stated the indictment demonstrates "no one is above the law," emphasizing that "every victim deserves to be heard" regardless of the accused's position of authority.
- Officials confirmed the 70-count indictment is unrelated to a separate investigation into Essert previously reported by media, while investigators urged anyone with information about similar conduct to contact law enforcement.
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Ohio police chief arrested in Florida after 70-count indictment alleging sexual abuse of minor
SEMINOLE, Fla. — An Ohio police chief accused of sexually abusing a minor over several years while working as a teacher and youth instructor was arrested Thursday in Florida following a 70-count felony indictment, authorities said. Chad Essert, 44, police chief of Bethel, Ohio, was taken into custody without incident by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s… The post Ohio police chief arrested in Florida after 70-count indictment alleging sexual abuse o…
Hamilton Journal-News
WCPO CincinnatiProsecutor: Bethel police chief indicted on 70 counts of sexual misconduct, including with a minor
Bethel Police Chief Chad Essert faces 70 sexual misconduct counts, including 56 for sexual battery and 14 for unlawful conduct with a minor, from offenses occurring between 2005 and 2010 while he was a teacher and instructor. He was arrested in Florida and awaits extradition to Clermont County.
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