An Ohio police chief was arrested in Florida on Thursday, June 11, after a grand jury indicted him on 70 felony sex-related charges. The arrest of Chad Essert, the police chief of Bethel, Ohio, took place in Seminole, Florida, and was carried out by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Arrest and Charges

Essert, 44, was taken into custody without incident at 7:06 p.m. on June 11. The indictment against him includes 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. All 70 charges are third-degree felonies.

Investigation

The alleged offenses occurred between 2005 and 2010, when Essert was an instructor with the Young Marines and a teacher at Scarlet Oaks in Sharonville. The victim was a student of Essert's during that period, according to investigators.

Key Facts

• Location: Seminole, Florida
• Charges: 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
• Victim: A student of Essert's from 2005 to 2010
• Arresting Agency: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
• Current Status: Essert is awaiting extradition to Ohio
• Possible Sentence: Up to 280 years in prison if convicted on all counts

'The alleged offenses occurred between 2005 and 2010, when Essert was an instructor with the Young Marines and a teacher at Scarlet Oaks in Sharonville.' - Clermont County Sheriff's Office

Next Steps

The case will now proceed with Essert's extradition to Ohio, where he will face the charges against him. The investigation is ongoing, and it is unclear what evidence led to the indictment. The possibility of a 280-year sentence highlights the severity of the charges against Essert.