CHARDON, Ohio — Former Chester Township police officer Nicholas Iacampo, accused of felony sexual battery involving a 16-year-old girl, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the unruliness or deliquency of a child in Geauga County Common Pleas Court Monday.
Visiting Judge John Enlow sentenced Iacampo to a year of probation. "As a term of that probation, you are to forfeit your OPOTA (Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy) license and you are not to seek employment as a peace officer," Enlow explained to Iacampo.
Iacampo was also ordered to undergo random alcohol and drug testing, receiving treatment "if necessary."
IACAMPO SPEAKS
The former police officer addressed the court prior to his sentencing.
"I would like to take full responsibility for my actions on August 6, 2023, and the days immediately leading up to it. I was the adult and acted inappropriately by failing in my duty as a police officer. I do regret every decision made that day and will continue to do so moving forward in my future. I lost my career as a police officer and the trust of those closest to me as a result. I have worked countless hours every day since then to rebuild my relationships and get my life back on track. I know my actions contributed to the victim and her family feeling so much anxiety and for that, I truly am sorry. I never had the intention to hurt anyone and I know my actions played a part in doing so. I want you to know that I regret my conduct and I will work every day to make up for what has occurred."
VICTIM AND MOTHER ADDRESS IACAMPO
Both the teenage victim and her mother addressed the court and Iacampo prior to his sentencing.
Iacampo had temporarily served as a school resource officer at West Geauga High School from January through June of 2023.
"I trusted you with everything," the victim said to Iacampo. "You were the reason I came to school even when I hated it."
"You are a disgrace," the victim's mother told Iacampo. "You hurt her when she was already hurting. I hate you for making her life harder than it already was."
CASE DETAILS
The case against Iacampo began in August of 2023, when he was first accused of and arrested for sexual battery involving a teenager. The complaint was made to Geauga County Sheriff's deputies while Iacampo was on duty.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office was brought in as a "third-party" investigative unit because Iacampo's mother is Chardon Municipal Court Judge Terri Stupica. In addition, Lake County Prosecutor Charles Coulson was brought in as the special prosecutor in the case. Coulson later dropped the sexual battery charge, deeming it unconstitutional. However, the criminal investigation continued.
Iacampo resigned as a member of the Chester Township Police Department in September 2023.
The case was presented to a Geauga County grand jury in November of 2023. Iacampo was indicted on a felony charge of sexual battery as well as a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the unruliness or deliquency of a child. He pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment in December.
Chester Township Police Chief Craig Young provided the following statement after the indictment by the grand jury:
"The members of this organization are devoted stewards of public safety and are willing to pay the ultimate price, if need be, to ensure this community’s safety. No one is above the law and our personnel are held to strict standards of conduct to ensure faithful service and protection; our community deserves nothing less. The recent investigation involving the reported misconduct of a former officer in no way reflects any type of accepted behavior by this office; the members of this organization find this reported behavior appalling. Please understand that a resignation was accepted on the advice of our legal counsel, as terminations are often appealed and could result in a reinstatement regardless of the circumstances leading to the termination. Resignations are final.
"The support for our personnel is overwhelming. Our community members do not sit idly when our officers need assistance. Chester Township represents the best example of community policing, where the community and those sworn to protect it work so closely with one another for positive outcomes. The relationship between the police and the community is why we enjoy such a low crime rate. We are committed to being the best police agency, fully capable of handling your safety needs.
"We would like to thank the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Prosecutor’s Office for their diligent work on this case. Although the legal system is not always expeditious, time and patience are required on complex investigations. I would strongly encourage any member of our community to reach out to me regarding their concerns."