Ohio Police Chief Arrested on Multiple Charges
An Ohio police chief has been arrested in Florida and is facing a staggering number of charges related to alleged sex crimes, with some accusations involving a minor.
Chad Essert, the 44-year-old police chief of Bethel, Ohio, was taken into custody on Tuesday night in Seminole, Florida, by the local sheriff’s department.
On Thursday, a grand jury in Clermont County, Ohio, brought forward charges against Essert, including 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. These charges are all classified as third-degree felonies.
If found guilty on all counts, Essert could potentially spend up to 280 years behind bars.
According to the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, the charges stem from incidents allegedly occurring between 2005 and 2010, while Essert was both a teacher at Scarlet Oaks in Sharonville, Ohio, and an instructor with the Young Marines program. The alleged victim was a student, and the reported offenses took place in various locations.
“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 shows that no one is above the law. Every victim should be heard, and all allegations will be carefully investigated,” noted Clermont County Sheriff Chris Stratton.
Prosecutor Mark Tekulve emphasized the collaborative effort in the investigation, saying, “This case exemplifies our commitment to protecting victims, regardless of the perpetrator’s title. The Prosecutor’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office have worked together effectively throughout this process.”
Essert had been placed on administrative leave as of May 2026 when the investigation began, subsequently requesting leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, meant to provide job-protected time off for various medical and family needs.
Currently, Essert is waiting in a Pinellas County jail for possible extradition to Clermont County. He has the option to waive extradition or contest it. Should he waive, authorities would have 10 days to transfer him; if he resists, Ohio’s governor would need to issue a warrant to initiate formal extradition procedures, during which he could challenge the process in court.
