Jury acquits Jackson Center police chief in sex case

A Shelby County Common Pleas Court jury found Jackson Center Police Chief Joseph Cotterman not guilty in one of two sex-related cases against him.

The jury deliberated for four and a half hours before acquitting Cotterman of a gross sexual imposition charge stemming from a complaint filed by a 19-year-old woman in January 2016 with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. The jury began deliberations at 1:30 p.m. and reached a verdict at 6 p.m.

It was the second time the case went to trial. The first time in October 2016 ended in mistrial because of a piece of evidence that should not have been allowed.

A second, unrelated rape case with a different accuser is pending against Cotterman, who is free on bond.

The village named Lt. Charles Wirick as acting chief until the criminal cases were settled against Cotterman, who remains on paid administrative leave.

Cotterman has been chief since 2009 and was one of two full-time officers in the village police department. The 1999 Botkins High School graduate and member of the Ohio Chief of Police Association joined the police department in October 2002.

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