Pecord faced 88 years in prison – Sentenced to 4

by David Miller

Loveland, Ohio – Police officer Anthony Pecord was put on administrative leave on January 25 after he was notified by Police Chief Sean Rahe that the City had begun a “formal investigation” on on the same day related to a claim of sexual assault that occurred on January 24. Pecord was ordered not to conduct City business or enter City property. He remained on “paid status” with benefits. Pecord was ordered not to communicate to other City employees or access emails, City accounts, or other City services.

The City retained the services of attorney Patricia Pryor to conduct an investigation.

On February 25, Rahe issued a statement to the press that said, “A police officer was placed on administrative leave as soon as allegations involving him related to off-duty conduct were reported to the City. Once notified of the allegations, the City immediately retained an outside investigator.” Rahe said that as the matter progressed, the City requested and received the officer’s resignation.

Pecord was subsequently indicted by a Hamilton County Grand Jury on March 15 on 16 counts; 8 counts of Rape, and 8 counts of Sexual Battery, for an incident that occurred on January 24, 2021. If convicted on all charges, he would have faced the possibility of 88 years in prison.

In the original complaint filed by Hamilton County detective Jack Losekamp, Pecord was charged with raping the victim while the victim was unconscious and unable to consent due to intoxication. Losekamp said that the victim was surreptitiously given an intoxicant, a first-degree felony. The complaint alleged there was forensic evidence on Pecord’s cell phone that he committed the crime. Pecord was booked into the Hamilton County Justice Center.

At the time, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph Deters commented, “We take all cases of sexual assault seriously.  But when acts like this are committed by someone in a position of power and public trust, it is especially sickening.” Deters also said that once this behavior was reported, the City of Loveland and the Loveland Police Department “cooperated fully” with the investigation.

As a result of a plea agreement, Pecord has now been convicted of three counts of Gross Sexual Imposition and has been sentenced to 4 years in prison. Pecord will also be required to register as a Tier I sex offender for a period of 15 years. Gross Sexual Imposition is a fourth-degree felony.

Deters said in a press release after the trial, “Thanks to Sheriff Deputy Jack Losekamp’s work, the photographic evidence of this crime was discovered, despite Pecord’s attempts to destroy it. Without the efforts of Detective Jack Losekamp and Assistant Prosecutor Christina Dattilo, we could not have pursued this case and Pecord would still be free.”

Deters also made a statement about why Pecord’s plea of guilty on the lesser charges was accepted. “We are especially sensitive to the victim’s wishes in sexual assault cases. As a result of this plea, we were able to provide justice to this victim while allowing the victim to close this chapter of his life and begin the healing process,” Deters said in the press release.”

Chief Rahe said in his original release to the press, “Our focus and concern has been, and continues to be, for the safety and well-being of the injured party.”

“We are concerned that more victims may be out there, and ask anyone who may have been victimized by Pecord to contact the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Detective Losekamp at 513-595-7484,” said Deters.

Deters concluded his statement by saying, “What is absolutely clear is Pecord should never, and will never, work in law enforcement again.”