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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· 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 The Midland
The situation in Bethel, Ohio, raises questions about the vetting process for law enforcement officials in the Permian Basin area. While the indicted police chief is not from Midland , the fact that he was able to work in multiple departments despite past allegations and convictions is concerning. Midland residents may wonder if similar issues could arise in their own community. The city's law enforcement agency should review their hiring and screening procedures to ensure that they are thorough and effective in identifying potential red flags. Additionally, the community should be aware of the protocols in place for addressing allegations of misconduct against law enforcement officials and the process for removing them from their positions if necessary. As the village of Bethel navigates the removal process, Midland can take this opportunity to examine its own policies and procedures to maintain trust and transparency between law enforcement and the community.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland 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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Matt Schaffer, Jennifer Edwards Baker, Brooklyn Andres, Akim Powell at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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