By Parker Perry
Springfield News-Sun
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A former Springfield Twp. firefighter accused of sexually assaulting boys who were in the department’s cadet program is scheduled to go before a jury next month.
Jonathan Monroe, 24, is charged with 25 sex-related charges including rape, gross sexual imposition and sexual battery in Clark County Common Pleas Court. A jury trial in the case is set for Jan. 9.
Springfield police began their investigation into Monroe after he allegedly showed up at the station to confess, an affidavit says.
“Monroe was very tearful,” Springfield Police Division Detective Sandra Fent wrote in the affidavit. “During the interview, Monroe stated that he had access to these children through the cadet program with the Springfield Twp. Fire Department.”
The alleged abuse began when Monroe was also a teenager, according to court records, and reportedly continued for several years.
Each victim corroborated the alleged sexual assaults when police spoke to them, according to the police affidavit.
Monroe allegedly told detectives he assaulted at least four teens overall, the court records say, including offering money to one of them for sexual activity and assaulting a couple of teens multiple times.
Clark County prosecutors originally charged Monroe with single counts of rape, gross sexual imposition and compelling prostitution, as well as three counts of sexual battery and three counts of unlawful sexual conduct. However, after an August meeting when the defense and prosecutors couldn’t agree on potential plea bargain terms, prosecutors said they filed an additional 16 sex-related charges against him.
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