Chad Essert, 44, of Blanchester, Ohio, was arrested in Seminole, Florida, by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Investigations Section and is now awaiting extradition to Clermount County after being indicted on 56 third-degree felony counts of sexual battery and 14 third-degree felony counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Prosecutors allege that Essert committed these acts between 2005 and 2010 while serving as a teacher at a Sharonville school and later as police chief of Bethel, a village in southeast Ohio with approximately 2,600 residents. The incidents reportedly occurred across multiple locations in Clermount and Hamilton County.
Mayor Jay Noble of Bethel stated that he will initiate the statutory process to remove Essert from his position: “Chief Essert should no longer lead the Bethel Police Department. I intend to initiate the statutory process to remove Chief Essert from employment with the Village of Bethel.”
Clermount County Sheriff Chris Stratton added, “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.”
Essert faces a maximum penalty of 280 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
