safety
‘Deeply disturbed’: Mayor seeks to remove police chief indicted on 70 sex abuse charges tied to his time as teacher
By Matt Schaffer, Jennifer Edwards Baker, Brooklyn Andres, Akim Powell at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· June 22, 2026
· 1 min read
CLERMONT COUNTY, Ohio. (WXIX/Gray News) - An Ohio police chief was indicted on 70 sexual abuse counts stemming from alleged child sex abuse that happened between 2005 and 2010, according to authorities. Chad Essert is facing 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct wit...
Key takeaway (WXIX/Gray News) - An Ohio police chief was indicted on 70 sexual abuse counts stemming from alleged child sex abuse that happened between 2005 and 2010, according to authorities.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The situation in Ohio has significant implications for Nashville , where community trust in law enforcement is paramount. As Nashville's own police department continues to evolve and grow, the city's leaders must prioritize thorough background checks and rigorous vetting processes for new hires, particularly those in leadership positions. The fact that Essert was able to move from department to department, despite previous allegations and terminations, raises concerns about the ease with which problematic officers can find new employment. Nashville's residents deserve to know that their police department is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability, and that any officer found to have engaged in misconduct will be held accountable. As the city moves forward, it's crucial that Nashville's law enforcement leaders take a proactive approach to addressing these issues and maintaining the public's trust.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville 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 WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? CLERMONT COUNTY, Ohio. (WXIX/Gray News) - An Ohio police chief was indicted on 70 sexual abuse counts stemming from alleged child sex abuse that happened between 2005 and 2010, according to authorities. Chad Essert is facing 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct wit...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Matt Schaffer, Jennifer Edwards Baker, Brooklyn Andres, Akim Powell at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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