GEAUGA COUNTY, Ohio — Nicholas Iacampo, the Chester Township police officer who was previously charged with sexual battery involving a teenager has resigned, the police department has confirmed to 3News.
Last month, Iacampo was arrested and charged with sexual battery involving a teenager following a complaint that was made to Geauga County Sheriff's deputies while the 29-year-old was on duty. Lake County Prosecutor Charles Coulson, who was handling the case because Iacampo's mother is Chardon Municipal Court Judge Terri Stupica, later requested the dismissal of the sexual battery charge, deeming it unconstitutional.
The charge against Iacampo was based on the Ohio Revised Code that specifies a felony charge if the offender is a peace officer, the other person is a minor, and the offender is more than two years older than the other person. Whomever violates this section is charged with sexual battery.
But in 2016, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled the statute unconstitutional, stating that police officers cannot be held to a higher standard than the rest of the public when it comes to having sex with minors. However, the state's legislative branch failed to amend the statute to reflect the court's ruling, meaning the sexual battery charge against Iacampo would need to be dismissed.
At a hearing to officially dismiss the charge, Lake County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Adam Downing noted that additional charges are possible pending investigation.
In an interview with 3News Senior Crime and Justice Correspondent Lydia Esparra, Chester Township Police Chief Craig Young said he expects the prosecution to file new charges against Iacampo, who had been placed on paid administrative leave. Young also said that regardless of the outcome of the investigation, he would not be bringing Iacampo back to his department after he failed to adhere to its policies and procedures.
Previous Reporting:
- 'He is messing around with my 16-year-old daughter': 911 call of father reporting Geauga County officer's alleged assault on daughter released
- 'There is a lot of anger and frustration here': Chester Township police chief speaks out about officer charged with sexual battery
- Geauga County police officer facing charge after alleged sexual battery against teen