Berea Fire Department Battalion Chief arrested on sexual assault charges

Berea Fire Department Battalion Chief arrested on sexual assault charges

BEREA — A battalion chief with the Berea Fire Department was taken into custody Friday on serious sexual assault allegations involving a minor.

Berea Battalion Chief arrested for sexual abuse - WBONTV Local News for Richmond KY

An arrest warrant was issued Oct 17, 2025 for a Berea Fire Department Battalion Chief. Jonathan Kerns has been charged with Sexual Abuse 3rd, rape 3rd, and incest, and was taken into custody Saturday afternoon. According to the complaint, the victim told investigators Kerns had been ‘grooming’ her since she was 11 years old.   The latest event described a series of inappropriate interactions between the juvenile, now 17, and Kern’s who is 40. Ke…