On March 31^st, 2026, the Clermont Count Grand Jury indicted Jesse Herndon, age 41, of Bethel, Ohio and Rachel Kenser, age 38, of Loveland, Ohio in connection with a death investigation.

Jesse Herndon faces the following charges:

(1) count of Involuntary Manslaughter a felony of the 1^st degree

(2) counts of Corrupting Another with Drugs both felonies of the 2^nd degree

(2) counts of Trafficking in Fentanyl Related Compound both felonies of the 5^th degree

(2) counts of Possession of Fentanyl Related Compound both felonies of the 5^th degree

(1) count of Aggravated Possession of Drugs a felony of the 3^rd degree

(1) count of Trafficking in Cocaine a felony of the 5^th degree

(1) count of Possession of Cocaine a felony of the 5^th degree

Rachel Kenser faces the following charges:

(1) count of Involuntary Manslaughter a felony of the 1^st degree

(2) counts of Corrupting Another with Drugs both felonies of the 2^nd degree

(1) count of Trafficking in a Fentanyl Related Compound a felony of the 5^th degree

(1) count of Possession of Fentanyl Related Compound a felony of the 5^th degree

(1) count of Trafficking in Cocaine a felony of the 5^th degree

(1) count of Possession of Cocaine a felony of the 5^th degree

(2) counts of Tampering with Evidence both felonies of the 3^rd degree

On September 15^th, 2025, at approximately 9:56 p.m., Clermont County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 3700 block of U.S. Highway 50 in Jackson Township, Clermont County, in reference to a reported non-breather. Personnel from Jackson Township Fire Department and Stonelick Township EMS also responded to the scene and immediately began life-saving measures on the 44-year-old male victim. Despite these efforts, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Detectives with the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office were called to the location along with Investigators from the Clermont County Coroner’s Office and initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. Based on preliminary indications of a possible drug overdose, detectives collected several items of evidentiary value, including cellular phones, narcotics, and other materials believed to be related to the incident.

Detectives conducted follow-up interviews with individuals associated with the incident, including Rachel Kenser. During her interview, Kenser admitted to her involvement in purchasing the narcotics and acknowledged disposing of evidence related to the investigation.

Search warrants were subsequently obtained for the cellular phones recovered at the scene. The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office S.A.F.E. Unit (Surveillance Analysis and Forensic Evidence) completed a forensic analysis of the cellular phones recovered at the scene which were subsequently reviewed by detectives. Evidence obtained from those devices corroborated Kenser’s statements and led investigators to identify Jesse Herndon as a person of interest.

On September 17^th, 2025, detectives executed a search warrant at Herndon’s residence located in the Village of Bethel, Ohio. During the search, investigators located additional evidence related to the investigation, including the cellular phone used to communicate with Kenser regarding the sale of narcotics.

A subsequent toxicology report from the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office determined the victim’s cause of death to be the “combined toxic effects of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.”

Herndon and Kenser were arrested and are currently incarcerated at the Clermont County Jail. Both are scheduled to appear in the Clermont County Court of Common Pleas on April 1st, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Anthony Brock for arraignment on the charges outlined above.

Any additional inquiries related to this indictment or pending charges should be directed to the Clermont County Prosecutors Office at 513-732-7313.

Jesse Herndon, age 41                                                     Rachel Kenser, age 38; Photo from 9/15/2025