safety
Ohio police chief indicted on 70 sex abuse charges after allegedly grooming 12-year-old
By Katharine Lee at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
An Ohio police chief accused of sexually abusing a minor over several years while working as a youth instructor has been charged with 70 counts of sex crimes, authorities said.
Chad Essert, 44, was arrested in Florida after a grand jury indicted him on 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts...
Key takeaway Chad Essert, 44, was arrested in Florida after a grand jury indicted him on 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts...
Why this matters in Frisco News
The indictment of an Ohio police chief on 70 sex abuse charges raises questions about the vetting process for law enforcement officials in our own community. As Frisco residents, we expect our public safety officials to uphold the highest standards of integrity and trustworthiness. The fact that Chad Essert was able to rise through the ranks and become a police chief despite allegedly grooming a 12-year-old minor for sexual abuse is a disturbing reminder that thorough background checks and regular evaluations are crucial. In Frisco, where community policing and youth programs are highly valued, it is especially important to ensure that those in positions of authority are held to the highest standards of conduct. As this case unfolds, Frisco residents should be aware of the measures in place to prevent similar abuses of power and trust in our own city's law enforcement and youth programs.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Frisco 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 NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more Frisco News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? An Ohio police chief accused of sexually abusing a minor over several years while working as a youth instructor has been charged with 70 counts of sex crimes, authorities said.
Chad Essert, 44, was arrested in Florida after a grand jury indicted him on 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories and curated for Frisco News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Katharine Lee at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories. To learn more about how Frisco News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Frisco News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter