Springfield Twp. trustees make no comment on ex-fire cadet instructor’s sex crime case

SPRINGFIELD TWP. — (UPDATE @ 10:15 p.m. April 25): Township trustees, after meeting in executive session, said they were told not to discuss the sex crimes case involving former Springfield Twp. fire cadet instructor Jonathan Scott Monroe.

A fire department deputy chief also declined comment about the allegations.

UPDATE @ 6 p.m. (April 25) 

Township trustees are meeting tonight for the first time since Jonathan Scott Monroe’s arrest on sex-related charges stemming from his involvement with teens in the fire department’s cadet program.

That program has been suspended and a trustee has said its future is uncertain.

According to Trustee Tim Foley, Monroe sent an email on April 6 stating his was resigning as a training instructor and adviser in the Springfield Twp. Fire Department cadet program. The trustees approved the resignation five days later, Foley said.

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EARLIER REPORT

Jonathan Scott

Monroe, 23, remains in jail on a $100,000 bond on charges

accusing him of sexually assaulting teens in the fire department's cadet program.

According to an affidavit filed in Clark County Municipal Court, Monroe -- a training instructor and cadet adviser at the time of the alleged offenses -- is accused of the following:

  • Victim 1: Rape, gross sexual imposition, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and sexual battery
  • Victim 2: Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and sexual battery
  • Victim 3: Sexual battery 
  • Victim 4: Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and compelling prostitutio

The charges involve four victims — who now are 15 years to 17 years old — under whom he had authority as their training instructor.

An arrest warrant was filed for Monroe after he had agreed April 18 to surrender to authorities and failed to do so.

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On April 5, Monroe came to the Springfield Police Division and asked to speak with detectives. It was then that he admitted he committed the crimes through access he had with the children through the cadet program.

According to the affidavit, Monroe told police Detective Sandra Fent he was 15 or 16 years old when he first sexually touched one of the victims, a 9-year-old boy, at random times for roughly six years.

The last occurrence was in March, Monroe told the detective, and he offered the boy $40 to engage in sexual touching.

Monroe said he and a second victim touched sexually only once, about a year ago.

He told authorities he engaged in sex with another of the victims 10 or more times in the child's bedroom.

Monroe told authorities he "can't even begin to guess how money he paid" a fourth victim, with whom he engaged in sexual conduct in March. That victim was 15 at the time.

About 5 p.m., we learned from the Springfield Twp. trustees that Monroe resigned as a volunteer firefighter, though the date of his resignation is not immediately known.

The trustees said they would have no further comment.

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