Bethel Police Chief Chad Essert was taken into custody in Florida after a Clermont County grand jury returned a 70-count indictment.
The grand jury charged the 44-year-old Blanchester resident with 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Alleged offenses span 2005 through 2010.
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Investigations Section officers arrested Essert without incident at 7:06 p.m. on June 11, 2026, in Seminole, Florida. He was booked into Pinellas County Jail at 8:50 p.m. and remains there pending extradition to Ohio.
Conviction on every count carries a maximum sentence of 280 years in prison. Essert had already been placed on paid administrative leave from the Bethel Police Department during a separate internal review.
Clermont County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Tekulve stated, “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.”
Adrianne Simeone, CEO of Mama Bear Effect, noted that most survivors of childhood sexual abuse wait years before reporting. “The fact this has been reported to the authorities and they are looking into it, that's a good sign that there's some evidence there,” Simeone said.
The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the indictment details in an official release. Law enforcement agencies in both Ohio and Florida coordinated the arrest and extradition process. Essert remains in Florida custody as Ohio authorities prepare transfer documents.
