Butler, Ohio – Wesley Dingus, the mayor of Butler, Ohio, has been charged with two counts of voyeurism following an investigation by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office. The charges stem from allegations that Dingus surreptitiously filmed himself sniffing the underwear of a minor relative. The case adds to existing legal challenges for the mayor, who is already facing multiple charges in a separate criminal case.
According to a report from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began after Richland County Children Services contacted authorities on , regarding a video depicting an adult male, later identified as Dingus, entering a child’s bedroom and smelling her underwear. The victim, a high school student, reportedly became suspicious of Dingus’s behavior and installed a small video camera in her room to monitor activity. Footage from the camera allegedly captured Dingus entering her room on multiple occasions, smelling her worn underwear, and, in one instance, touching his groin area over his clothing.
The sheriff’s office report details that on , the case was forwarded to the Mansfield City Law Director’s Office. Summonses were prepared and served to Dingus on . Dingus was arraigned on , in Mansfield Municipal Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to reports.
The charges against Dingus relate to Ohio Revised Code 2907.08, which prohibits individuals from trespassing or otherwise invading another person’s privacy for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. The alleged offenses are classified as misdemeanors.
This is not the first legal trouble for the 48-year-old mayor. In , Dingus was indicted by a Richland County grand jury on four counts: aggravated assault, vehicular assault, falsification, and dereliction of duty. These charges reportedly stem from an incident on , in which Dingus allegedly struck a man twice with his car. He is currently awaiting trial in Richland County Common Pleas Court for these charges.
The current investigation was initiated after contact from Richland County Children Services. On , Dingus reportedly indicated a willingness to speak with investigators, but his defense attorney, James Mayer, subsequently advised him against making any statements regarding the allegations on .
The case has drawn attention beyond Butler, a small village in Richland County. The allegations against a public official, particularly a mayor, raise concerns about abuse of power and the vulnerability of minors. The timing of the charges, while Dingus is already facing other legal battles, further complicates the situation.
Assistant Law Director Ron Sharp of the Mansfield Law Director’s Office confirmed on , that the summonses would be issued to Dingus. The mayor is scheduled to appear in Mansfield Municipal Court at a later date to address the voyeurism charges.
The Butler mayor’s office has not yet issued a public statement regarding the allegations. The Richland County Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation and forwarded the case to the Mansfield Law Director’s Office for prosecution. The legal proceedings are expected to unfold in the coming weeks, potentially impacting Dingus’s position as mayor and his ongoing legal battles.
