Ohio Mayor Faces Voyeurism Charges Following Disturbing Underwear Allegations
In a shocking development that has rocked a small Ohio community, a Republican mayor is confronting serious criminal allegations after authorities claim he was captured on a hidden camera smelling an underage girl's underwear. The incident has sparked widespread concern and legal scrutiny in Richland County.
Detailed Allegations from Sheriff's Office Report
According to an official incident report from the Richland County Sheriff's Office, 48-year-old Wesley Dingus, who serves as mayor of Butler, Ohio, is accused of inappropriate behavior toward a juvenile who had been staying at his residence. The allegations originated from the teen herself, who took extraordinary measures to document what she suspected was occurring.
Investigators revealed that the teenager had strategically placed a small concealed camera in a bedroom within the home. On January 13, she reportedly received multiple motion alerts indicating that recordings had been successfully captured. The subsequent footage, according to deputies, showed Dingus smelling at least four pairs of her underwear "for several seconds" while also "touching his groin area over his clothes."
Swift Response from Child Services and Law Enforcement
Richland County Children's Services acted promptly upon receiving the report, forwarding it to law enforcement authorities on the very same day the alleged incident occurred. A deputy later conducted an interview with the girl at her school to gather additional details and verify the claims.
Law enforcement officials attempted to arrange a meeting with Dingus shortly after the allegations surfaced. However, according to local news outlet WKYC, the conversation never materialized after Dingus's attorney advised canceling the scheduled meeting. This development delayed direct communication between authorities and the accused official.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Nearly a month after the initial allegations surfaced, authorities arrested Dingus on February 13. He appeared in court recently and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him. Following his court appearance, Dingus was released after posting 10% of a $10,000 bond.
Judge Michael Kemerer imposed strict conditions on Dingus's release, requiring him to wear a GPS monitoring device and explicitly barring him from contacting his accuser. These measures were implemented to ensure community safety while the legal process unfolds.
Legal Process and Additional Background
Deputies forwarded the case to a local prosecutor's office on January 26 for further review and potential charges. After consulting with prosecutors, authorities prepared two court summonses charging Dingus with voyeurism, as reported by Cleveland19. These legal documents were subsequently delivered to the mayor.
Dingus, who public voter records confirm is a registered Republican, ascended to the mayor's office in 2022 following the resignation of then-mayor Joseph Stallard. Dingus was elevated from his position as council president to fill the vacant mayoral post. He was later elected to a full term after receiving 199 votes from the village's population of fewer than 1,000 residents.
Previous Legal Troubles
This is not the first time Dingus has faced legal challenges during his tenure. In August, the Richland Source reported that he was indicted on four counts related to an incident where he allegedly struck a fleeing criminal suspect with his vehicle. Officials stated that on July 11, Dingus observed a man attempting to escape from police and intentionally struck the individual with his car to prevent his escape.
Dingus entered a plea of not guilty in that separate case as well. Authorities indicated that the injured man was expected to recover from his injuries. These previous allegations add context to the current legal situation facing the Ohio mayor.
The case continues to develop as legal proceedings move forward, with community members and officials closely monitoring the situation. The allegations have raised serious questions about conduct and accountability in public office, particularly in small communities where local officials often have close relationships with constituents.
