x
Breaking News
More () »

Former foster parent, firefighter pleads not guilty to 19 charges in child sex abuse case

Jeremy Chesser was charged with multiple sex crimes against children in August 2023. In addition to 3 federal charges, 19 additional counts were filed in December.

LUCAS COUNTY, Ohio — Former Maumee foster parent and Springfield Township firefighter Jeremy Chesser pleaded not guilty Thursday to 19 charges in Lucas County he faces for alleged sex crimes against children. 

In Lucas County, Chesser is facing the following counts:

  • Gross sexual imposition, one count
  • Endangering children, one count
  • Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, two counts
  • Pandering obscenity involving a minor, 15 counts

A judge set Chesser's bond at $550,000 Thursday. 

RELATED: How do child sexual predators go undetected? Abuse prevention advocate gives insight on alleged crimes of Maumee foster father

In addition to the 19 charges filed in Lucas County, Chesser was also charged on three counts in federal court on Aug. 30, 2023, when he was arrested. According to the federal court document, he admitted to committing sexual acts against children as young as two years old.

Chesser is the father of 10 children, several of whom are foster children. He was a foster parent at the time of his arrest. 

RELATED: 'We had no idea this was going on': Family of foster father accused of child sex crimes speaks out

Chesser is scheduled to appear in court for pretrial on Feb. 29 at 9 a.m. 

MORE FROM WTOL 11

Want more from WTOL 11?   

➡️ Download the WTOL 11 weather app for the latest local 10-day forecast and live radar!  

➡️ Download the WTOL 11 news app for Apple here or get it in the Google store here

➡️ Get a fresh start to your morning and wrap up your day with the latest news and your WTOL 11 Weather forecast delivered right to your inbox!  

WTOL 11's Your Morning Blast and Your Evening Blast deliver stories from northwest Ohio, southeast Michigan and beyond to keep you informed.  

Click here to get on the list!

Before You Leave, Check This Out