BETHEL, Ohio — Bethel Police Chief Chad Essert was indicted on 70 counts of sexual misconduct, according to the Clermont County Sheriff's Office and the Clermont County Prosecutor's Office.
In a joint statement Thursday, the prosecutor's office and sheriff's office said 44-year-old Essert was indicted for 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Essert was first placed on administrative leave pending investigation May 8. On May 15, the Clermont County Sheriff's Office released the findings of their investigation but said, "no criminal act was found."
Although the sheriff's office then closed its investigation, Essert remained on paid administrative leave while the Village of Bethel conducted its own investigation.
Watch to hear how residents in and around Bethel are reacting to Essert's indictment:
According to the statement on Thursday, the offenses happened between 2005 and 2010 while Essert was an instructor at Young Marines and a teacher at Scarlet Oaks in Sharonville.
"The victim was a student of Essert's during that timeframe, and the offenses occurred in multiple locations throughout Clermont and Hamilton County," the statement said.
According to the statement, Essert was taken into custody around 7 p.m. Thursday by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office in Seminole, Florida.
If Essert is convicted of all 70 charges, the statement said he could face a maximum penalty of 280 years in prison.
Both Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve and Clermont County Sheriff Chris Stratton provided statements in the release for the indictment.
“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.”
“It takes tremendous courage for a victim to come forward, especially when the accused wears a badge and holds a position of authority. 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 waived extradition June 15 and will face a judge in Clermont County.
We went to the village to speak with residents and hear their thoughts on the situation.
“I mean, it’s sad that someone would take advantage of the position that he had," Monroe Township resident Linda Hughes said.
“We all have to be accountable for our behavior, pay the consequence," her husband, Shane, said.
We stopped by Ben Franklin 5-10, a craft store at the corner of E Plane Street and N Main Street, and spoke with owner Dawn Paul.
“I really liked Chad Essert, so I’m more disappointed," Paul said.
Paul said her community's relationship with their police department is incredibly important, making this circumstance much harder for her and her neighbors.
“You didn't want to believe it. We want to support our police officers here; we love them; they protect us. But they expect accountability out of us, so we want accountability from them," Paul said.
