An Ohio police chief is facing the possibility of spending the rest of his life behind bars after being slapped with a 70-count indictment for alleged sex crimes involving a child.
Bethel Police Chief Chad Essert, 44, was taken into custody without incident Tuesday night in Seminole, Florida, by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
A Clermont County grand jury indicted the Blanchester, Ohio, resident on 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor — all third-degree felonies.
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If convicted of all charges, Essert faces a maximum penalty of 280 years in prison.
The allegations stem from offenses that authorities claim occurred between 2005 and 2010, while Essert was an instructor at the “Young Marines” and a teacher at Scarlet Oaks Career Campus in Sharonville, Ohio.
Officials said the alleged victim was a student of Essert’s and that the crimes took place across multiple locations in Clermont and Hamilton counties.
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“It takes tremendous courage for a victim to come forward, especially when the accused wears a badge and holds a position of authority,” Clermont County Sheriff Chris Stratton said following the indictment. “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.”
Prosecutor Mark Tekulve echoed the sheriff’s sentiments, emphasizing that victims are “protected and served regardless of the name or title of the perpetrator.”
Officials clarified the charges are unrelated to a separate investigation involving Essert that was previously reported by local media.
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FOX 19 reported Essert resigned from a position in Elmwood Place, Ohio, in 2010 to avoid being fired over allegations of sexual harassment and intimidating a witness.
Essert’s employment status is unclear, as of Friday afternoon.
He is being held in the Pinellas County Jail awaiting extradition to Clermont County to face the charges.
The Sheriff’s Office urged anyone else who believes they may have been a victim of similar conduct by Essert to immediately contact law enforcement as the investigation remains ongoing.
The Village of Bethel did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment.
