A Springfield Township firefighter/paramedic was arrested on August 30 and charged with child pornography following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Jeremy D. Chesser, 41, of 617 Midfield Drive, Maumee, was taken into custody by federal authorities, who said he admitted to the receipt and distribution of child pornography.
In the criminal complaint, Mr. Chesser allegedly acknowledged being involved with child pornography for more than a decade and admitted to sexual acts against children as young as 2 years.
The complaint also alleges that the firefighter had been in communication with an undercover FBI agent throughout August, detailing sexual acts against minors and sending the agent nude photographs of the minors.
According to Springfield Township Fire Chief Barry Cousino, Mr. Chesser is on unpaid administrative leave pending an internal review per department policy for any employee charged with a crime.
During the review process, the department will fill his slot with a part-time employee, the chief added.
The firefighter began working part time for the fire department in June 2013 and was hired full time in May 2020.
The chief noted that Mr. Chesser would not have been alone with any patient while under the department’s care. “None of our firefighters are alone while treating patients,” he added.
Mr. Chesser also is a parent to 10 children, a number of whom he and his wife foster. Those foster children have subsequently been removed from the home by the Lucas County Children Services.
The suspect is being held at the Lucas County Corrections Center. At press time no arraignment or court date was announced.
