safety
Ohio police chief indicted on 70 sex abuse charges after allegedly grooming 12-year-old
By Katharine Lee at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS)
· June 23, 2026
· 3 min read
An Ohio police chief accused of sexually abusing a minor over several years while working as a youth instructor has been charged with 70 counts of sex crimes, authorities said.
Chad Essert, 44, was arrested in Florida after a grand jury indicted him on 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts...
Key takeaway The alleged crimes took place between 2005 and 2010 while Essert was an instructor at Young Marines, a national youth program, and teacher at Scarlet Oaks, a career development center in Sharonville, Ohio, authorities said.
Why this matters in The Trophy Club
The indictment of an Ohio police chief on 70 sex abuse charges raises questions about the vetting process for law enforcement officials in Trophy Club and surrounding areas. As a community that values public safety, residents should be aware of the measures in place to ensure that those in positions of authority are thoroughly screened and held accountable for their actions. The fact that Chad Essert was able to maintain a position of trust as a police chief despite allegations of misconduct in his past is concerning. Trophy Club residents should expect transparency from their local law enforcement agency regarding their hiring practices and protocols for investigating allegations of misconduct. The community should also be aware of the resources available to support victims of abuse and exploitation, particularly in cases where the perpetrator holds a position of authority.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . The Trophy Club surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The Trophy Club stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? An Ohio police chief accused of sexually abusing a minor over several years while working as a youth instructor has been charged with 70 counts of sex crimes, authorities said.
Chad Essert, 44, was arrested in Florida after a grand jury indicted him on 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) and curated for The Trophy Club readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Katharine Lee at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS). To learn more about how The Trophy Club selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Trophy Club, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter