Law&Crime Network published June 15, 2026: Police Chief Slapped with 70 Charges in Shocking Sex Crimes Scandal. Chad Essert, 44, is the police chief of Bethel, Ohio. But years before that, Essert worked as an instructor for the Young Marines program. During that time, the Clermont County prosecutor says Essert groomed a girl who was taking part in the program and had sexual contact with her from 2005 to 2010. Now, Essert faces 70 felony charges related to the allegations. Law&Crime's Angenette Levy looks at the case in this episode of Crime Fix — a daily show covering the biggest stories in crime.
Law&Crime Network published June 23, 2026: Police Chief Claps Back At Sick Sex Charges. Chad Essert, 44, is back in Ohio to answer to 70 felony charges involving allegations that he had sexual contact with a girl in a Young Marines program. Deputies in Pinellas County, Florida, took Essert into custody on a warrant. Essert had been on leave from his job as police chief of the village of Bethel. Now he's entered a plea, and his attorney is denying the allegations. Law&Crime's Angenette Levy goes through video of Essert's arrest and talks with his attorney in this episode of Crime Fix — a daily show covering the biggest stories in crime.
LOCAL 12 published June 15, 2026: 'Supposed to protect and serve': Ohio community shocked by police chief's arrest. Bethel's Police Chief Chad Essert is facing 56 counts of sexual battery, 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, and potentially 240 years in prison.
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Fox19 News, Cincinnati, OH local
written by Digital Staff
Friday July 3, 2026
VILLAGE OF BETHEL, Ohio (WXIX) — Village of Bethel Police Chief Chad Essert has submitted his resignation amid the 70 counts of sexual abuse charges he faces, according to a letter signed by Mayor Jay Dee Noble II Friday.
The mayor of the village announced that he accepted the resignation, which will be effective July 9.
“Chief Essert’s resignation comes as the Village Solicitor’s office was investigating allegations first brought to the Village’s attention by the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office. Had Chief Essert not resigned, a hearing would have been held on July, 9, 2026 before Village Council to consider his removal from office.” Nobel said.
Charges and indictment
Essert was arrested June 11 and pleaded not guilty in Clermont County Common Pleas Court after a grand jury indicted him on charges involving an alleged minor victim, prosecutors said. He is charged with 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Prosecutors allege the conduct occurred at locations across Clermont and Hamilton counties between 2005 and 2010. During that time, Essert was an instructor for the Young Marines and a teacher at Scarlet Oaks in Sharonville, investigators said.
“The allegations describe a prolonged pattern of grooming and sexual exploitation by the defendant rather than a single lapse in judgment,” Prosecutor Laura Baron Allen said.
Judge Victor Haddad set Essert’s bond at $500,000 after prosecutors asked for $1 million and the defense argued for a lower amount.
“He just wants to post bond, get out and get home,” defense attorney Jay Clark said.
How the investigation began
The allegations surfaced during an unrelated investigation into Essert, authorities said. That earlier complaint alleged Essert drove his take-home police vehicle to Dayton for consensual sex with a woman he had pulled over for speeding in a school zone and did not ticket. Investigators said no crime occurred in that case and closed it.
Resignation ends removal proceedings
Noble had also filed charges with the village council seeking Essert’s removal, citing “dishonesty, immoral conduct, neglect of duty, and other acts of malfeasance,” Noble wrote in a memo posted to the village’s Facebook page.
Noble said Essert’s resignation ends the need for any further investigation or hearing. The village will report Essert’s departure to the appropriate Ohio agencies as a resignation while under investigation, as required by Ohio law.
Essert is no longer being paid. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 280 years in prison.
Acting chief to remain in role
Acting Chief Donald Fourth will continue to lead the Bethel Police Department while a search for a new police chief is conducted, Noble said.
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