A West Chester therapist, Michael Lesko, has been extradited to Butler County to face multiple charges of sexual assault against children spanning over a decade. Yesterday, Lesko, 33, stood before Butler County Common Pleas Court and entered a not-guilty plea to the 21 charges against him. The accusations include seven counts of rape, six counts of gross sexual imposition, and eight counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, as reported by FOX19.
Police allege, based on the investigation, that Lesko capitalized on his roles as a therapist, social worker, and mentor to sexually groom and then assault his victims. Some of the victims, according to WLWT, were younger than 13. Prosecutors at Lesko's arraignment claimed that he fled to Georgia to avoid the consequences of his impending exposure, where authorities apprehended him last month.
During the court hearing, Prosecutor Jackie Welp detailed Lesko’s predatory tactics, remarking that he would often prey on vulnerable families, offering mentorship as a disguise for his ulterior motives. "Mr. Lesko would start grooming his victims by mentoring them, and he would be helping their families to care for the children or void their financial hardships. Then he would have sexual contact and conduct with his victims," Welp stated in information obtained by LOCAL12.
Lesko's attorney, Ryan Nelson, argued that his client had planned to turn himself in before his arrest in Georgia, according to LOCAL12, saying, "It was never his intent to flee." Judge Michael Oster has set bond at $500,000. If Lesko posts it, he must abide by several conditions, including wearing an ankle monitor and having no contact with minors or the victims until the resolution of the case. Lesko’s history as a manager of social services at UC Health, which he held until earlier this year, could suggest that there might be more unidentified potential victims. West Chester police urge anyone with information to contact their tip line at 513-759-7270.
