Bethel police chief Chad Essert is facing dozens of charges related to sexual misconduct, according to the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office. In a release late Thursday night, the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office announced a 70-count indictment against Essert, including 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Investigation Details
Investigators said the alleged incidents happened between 2005 and 2010, when Essert was an instructor at the Young Marines and a teacher in Sharonville. Prosecutors said the victim was a student of his and the alleged crimes happened in Clermont and Hamilton counties.
Essert, 44, was taken into custody by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Investigations Section in Seminole, Florida, on Thursday night. This investigation is a perfect example of how victims are protected and served regardless of the name or title of the perpetrator.
The Prosecutor’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office worked seamlessly in this effort, according to prosecutor Mark Tekulve. This investigation is separate from an earlier investigation into Essert that found no criminal wrongdoing, according to officials.
Essert was taken to the Pinellas County Jail and is awaiting extradition to Clermont County. If convicted on all charges, Essert faces a maximum penalty of 280 years in prison.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
