Former athletic trainer indicted on pandering charges

NORWALK — A former local athletic trainer who worked with Norwalk students was recently indicted on 20 felony sex charges relating to his allegedly being in possession of "obscene material" involving children. On June 5, Huron County grand jurors indicted Jacob R. Rospert, 36, of the 1400 block of Johnson Road, Norwalk, on the following charges: • 18 counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, each a fourth-degree felony • Eight counts of endangering children, each a second-degree felony • One count of menacing by stalking, a fourth-degree felony • One count of attempt to commit an offense, a fifth-degree felony • One count of possessing criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony Norwalk police, who were first notified of the alleged criminal conduct in 2024, arrested Rospert on a warrant on Monday and booked him into the Huron County Jail on those charges. Fisher-Titus Medical Center spokesperson Chris Ruffing confirmed that Rospert was employed as its supervisor of athletic training from April 2017 to Aug. 2024. Martin Linder, president of Norwalk Catholic Schools, also confirmed that Rospert formerly served as their contracted athletic trainer. "In August of 2024, our school was notified by Fisher-Titus and the Norwalk Police Department regarding the allegations against Mr. Rospert and his employment ended at that time," Linder said. Background The investigation into Rospert began on Aug. 2, 2024, when an employee at Fisher-Titus Medical Center requested that an officer respond to the hospital to make a report regarding a child, according to a Norwalk police report. Once a Norwalk police officer arrived at the hospital, the employee who called explained that another employee had received an anonymous report from a child's legal guardian that Rospert, then still employed with Fisher-Titus, had allegedly asked children to send inappropriate photos of themselves over Snapchat, the report states. The report also stated that Rospert allegedly offered to send them money via Venmo for the photos. According to Rospert's indictment, the alleged crimes occurred between February 2023 and August 2024. The indictment indicates there are multiple victims in this case. Rospert allegedly created, reproduced or published "obscene material" of children, the indictment states. As of Thursday evening, Rospert is no longer listed as an inmate at the Huron County Jail, according to jail records. Huron County Common Pleas Court records do not indicate when another hearing is scheduled in his case.