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 KGNS — Sitewide
· June 22, 2026
· 2 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 Laredo News
The situation in Ohio has significant implications for Laredo , as it raises questions about the thoroughness of background checks for law enforcement officials. While the case involves a police chief in Ohio, it highlights the importance of scrutinizing the past conduct of those in positions of authority, particularly in roles that involve public trust and safety. In Laredo, where community relationships with law enforcement are crucial, it is essential to ensure that officers and chiefs have undergone rigorous vetting. The fact that Essert was able to move between departments despite previous allegations and convictions is a concern that Laredo's city government and law enforcement agencies should take note of, to prevent similar situations from arising locally. As Laredo's own police department continues to work on building trust with the community, the city should review its hiring and screening processes to guarantee that officers with questionable pasts are not given positions of authority.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . Laredo News 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 KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 2 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 KGNS — Sitewide and curated for Laredo News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Matt Schaffer, Jennifer Edwards Baker, Brooklyn Andres, Akim Powell at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how Laredo News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Laredo News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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