Why a Former Teacher Turned Ohio Police Chief Is Facing 56 Counts of S*xual Battery
Bethel, Ohio Police Chief Chad Essert has been indicted on 70 s*xual abuse counts, including 56 of s*xual battery, involving a former student between 2005 and 2010. Arrested in Florida and extradited to Ohio, Essert had been on leave since May over unrelated uniform misconduct claims. The village mayor has initiated removal proceedings.
Chad Essert, the police chief of Bethel, Ohio, has been indicted by a Clermont County grand jury on 70 felony counts of s*xual abuse. The charges stem from alleged offences involving a former student that occurred between 2005 and 2010, long before his tenure as police chief. Following his arrest in Pinellas County, Florida, the 44-year-old official was extradited to Ohio to face prosecution.
Breakdown of the Charges
According to the Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the extensive indictment includes 56 counts of s*xual battery and 14 counts of unlawful s*xual conduct with a minor. All 70 counts are classified as third-degree felonies. US: Ohio Pastor Arrested on Felony Charges of S*xual Battery and Grooming Involving a Minor.
Investigators stated that the alleged crimes took place in multiple locations across both Hamilton and Clermont counties. The time frame of the allegations coincides with a period when Essert worked as a school teacher at Scarlet Oaks in Sharonville and served as an instructor for the Young Marines youth program. The victim was a student of Essert's during those years.
“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 formal 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," Stratton added.
Separate Administrative Investigations
The criminal indictment follows a series of administrative actions taken by local officials. Local media outlet WCPO reported that Essert was initially placed on administrative leave in May while the sheriff’s office reviewed separate allegations of misconduct while in uniform. That specific inquiry concluded without finding any criminal acts at the time. However, Essert remained on administrative leave as the village of Bethel initiated its own internal investigation. Following the grand jury's decision, law enforcement authorities emphasised that the 70 felony charges are "independent of, and unrelated to, the facts and circumstances of the earlier investigation reported by local media about Essert." US Mass Shooting: 12 Injured in Ohio Festival Gunfire as Police Hunt for Suspects.
Bethel Village Moves for Removal
Following news of the indictment and subsequent arrest, political leadership in Bethel confirmed steps are being taken to permanently replace the police chief. According to a report from WXIX, Bethel Mayor Jay Dee Noble II announced that he planned to begin the formal process of removing Essert from his post. “This has been a very difficult time for our village,” Mayor 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," Noble added.
Essert was taken into custody without incident in Seminole, Florida, by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office before being booked into the Clermont County Jail. It is not immediately clear if he has entered a formal plea to the charges.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 22, 2026 05:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
