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 The Laredo
The situation in Ohio has no direct connection to Laredo , but it raises questions about the vetting process for law enforcement officials in Webb County. As Laredo's city government and police department work to maintain public trust, the news serves as a reminder to scrutinize the hiring and promotion practices of local law enforcement agencies. The fact that Essert was able to work for multiple police departments despite previous allegations and convictions is alarming. Laredo residents should expect transparency and accountability from their local government, particularly when it comes to the backgrounds of those sworn to protect and serve. The city's police department should review its own hiring practices to ensure that thorough background checks are conducted and that any past misconduct is thoroughly investigated before hiring or promoting officers. This will help maintain the trust and confidence of the community in the Laredo Police Department.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . The Laredo 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 The Laredo 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 The Laredo selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Laredo, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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