A routine Tuesday took a dark turn for Ursuline Academy in Blue Ash when a lacrosse coach was arrested after investigators say they uncovered a large cache of child sexual abuse material during a search of a Green Township home. Police identified the suspect as 31-year-old Dominic Bellissemo, who was taken into custody after detectives executed a warrant at a Sunburst Ridge Lane residence. School officials said Bellissemo has been fired and that Ursuline is cooperating with investigators as seized electronic devices are examined.
Investigation and search warrant
Green Township detectives with the Criminal Investigation Section, working alongside the Regional Electronics and Computer Investigation Unit, executed a search warrant at the Sunburst Ridge Lane address and seized multiple electronic devices as part of the investigation, according to WCPO. Prosecutors have charged Bellissemo with felony counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving minors, and he was booked into the Hamilton County Justice Center. He is expected to be arraigned Wednesday, April 29, the outlet reports.
Tip from NCMEC and evidence under review
Officials say the case started with a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which prompted detectives to take a closer look at activity linked to the Green Township address, according to WLWT. Investigators are now sifting through what they described as a large volume of illicit images pulled from the seized devices. WLWT reports that officers confronted Bellissemo during the probe and that he admitted to possessing the pictures. Detectives have emphasized that the inquiry is still active and that additional charges could be filed as they work through the digital evidence.
School fires coach, insists students not affected
Ursuline Academy said it was notified about the allegations on Tuesday and immediately terminated Bellissemo, stressing that there is currently “no information to indicate that these charges involved Ursuline students,” according to WCPO. The school said it conducts background checks and fingerprinting for employees and requires ongoing Safe Parish training. Administrators added that they are cooperating fully with law enforcement while detectives continue to follow leads.
What the law says
Ohio’s pandering statute covers a range of conduct involving sexual material and minors, and the level of felony depends on the specific subsection cited and any prior convictions, according to the Ohio Revised Code. Some violations can be charged as second degree felonies, while others, including certain types of possession or control of the material, may be treated as fourth degree felonies unless increased by an offender’s prior record.
His role at Ursuline and what we know
Before the arrest, Bellissemo had recently been listed on Ursuline’s athletics pages as part of the school’s coaching staff, though his name and photos have since been removed. The academy’s athletics directory lists the school at 5535 Pfeiffer Road in Blue Ash, according to Ursuline Academy. School officials say they are continuing to work with investigators as devices and records are reviewed and have urged anyone with relevant information to contact law enforcement.
