Authorities in Clermont County say three men accused of raping and sexually abusing children have been indicted on a slate of serious charges, then tracked down across three different states and brought back to Ohio to face prosecution.
County prosecutors announced Tuesday that separate grand jury indictments were returned against Alexander Michael Hydrus, Fabian Johnny Martinez, and Matthew Belvin Hager, with counts ranging from gross sexual imposition to multiple counts of rape and kidnapping.
Who Prosecutors Say Is Accused
The three defendants are charged in separate cases that all center on alleged assaults on minors, according to WDTN. Hydrus and Martinez were indicted on January 29 and face charges that include rape, gross sexual imposition, and kidnapping, the outlet reports.
Hager was indicted Tuesday on multiple counts of rape and gross sexual imposition involving children as young as 9, prosecutors told the station. He also faces a count of felonious assault.
Arrests And Multistate Coordination
Clermont County Prosecutor Mark J. Tekulve and the Clermont County Sheriff's Office say detectives worked across state lines to locate each suspect and coordinate their return to Ohio. Local reporting says Martinez was arrested in Florida, Hydrus in Connecticut, and Hager in Minnesota before being transported back to Clermont County for processing.
The prosecutor's press page lists recent indictments, and the sheriff's press archive shows the agency routinely coordinates multistate arrests and transfers in serious cases. Both offices also note they maintain victim-assistance resources for affected families.
Legal Process And Next Steps
The indictments indicate a grand jury found probable cause to charge each of the three men. They are expected to appear in court for arraignment and other pretrial hearings, prosecutors told local media, according to WDTN.
All three defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Tekulve's office has said it will continue working with partner agencies as the investigations continue and the cases move through the justice system.
Local Context
Prosecutors in Clermont County have been pursuing a series of high-profile child sex cases in recent months, including an earlier indictment of a Jackson Township man on more than 40 counts, a case that highlighted how lengthy and complex these investigations can be, as reported by WCPO. Investigators say such probes often span multiple jurisdictions and require close coordination with other law enforcement agencies and child-victim advocates.
Resources For Survivors
If you or someone you know needs help, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) operates a 24/7 hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) and an online chat at RAINN.org. In Clermont County, the Prosecutor's Victim Assistance Program can be reached at (513) 732-7979 for local support and referrals. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
