Bethel Police Chief Chad Essert, who faces 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, appeared in front of a Clermont County judge Monday for his arraignment.
The Clermont County Prosecutor's Office says the alleged offenses covered in the 70-count indictment took place between 2005 and 2010 while Essert worked as a teacher at Scarlet Oaks and served as an instructor with Young Marines. Investigators say the alleged victim was one of Essert's students and that the offenses occurred at multiple locations across Clermont and Hamilton counties.
Watch Essert's first court appearance here:
That hearing comes just days after Bethel Village Mayor Jay Noble filed administrative charges against Essert and called on Bethel Village Council to remove him from office, citing alleged acts of "dishonesty, immoral conduct, neglect of duty, and other acts of malfeasance in the performance of his duties as police chief."
Bethel placed Essert on administrative leave pending investigation on May 8. On May 15, the Clermont County Sheriff's Office released the findings of their investigation but said, "no criminal act was found." Noble said the village received redacted copies of the investigative report and supporting documents, leading him to believe that Essert "engaged in behavior that violates the policies of the Village of Bethel and reflects poorly on the Bethel Police Department," including engaging in an affair with a woman he met during a traffic stop and engaging in sexual conduct with her while on duty and while in uniform.
He said the report also revealed "serious allegations of sexual harassment" by Essert toward a female officer.
READ: Mayor Jay Noble released details of administrative charges, requested council remove Essert from office:
During his arraignment, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Lara Baron Allen explained the allegations to the courtroom, saying Essert "cultivated a relationship with the victim, beginning when she was approximately 12 years old and used positions of trust and authority to gain and maintain access to her."
“The allegations describe a prolonged pattern of grooming and sexual exploitation by the defendant rather than a single lapse in judgment," Baron Allen said.
If convicted on all 70 counts, he could face a maximum sentence of 280 years in prison.
Due to the length of time between the allegations and criminal charges, Clermont County Judge Victor Haddad asked prosecutors about the kind of evidence they have.
“Is it a he-said, she-said, there an interrogation?" Haddad asked.
“We obviously do have statements by the victim in this case, but we also have statements of multiple witnesses that do corroborate things that the victim says," Baron Allen.
Essert's attorney refuted the allegations against his client.
“In due course, you’ll find out the allegations are baseless," Jay Clark said, "He did not have an inappropriate relationship with her, didn’t groom her, didn’t have unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. He didn’t do any of that.”
Essert's bond was set at $500,000. Haddad ordered that he have no contact with the victim, have no access to firearms and turn over his passport. His next court date is set for July 7 at 10 a.m.
We learned through court records that Essert was released on bond Tuesday morning.
Monday afternoon, Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve sent us this statement:
"The Prosecutor's office will treat this matter the same as any other child sex abuse case. We will work to secure justice and to protect the victim."
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