Highland Heights City Council members called for Councilmember Jesse Hockenbury’s immediate resignation Tuesday after he entered an Alford plea to third-degree sexual abuse, resulting in a criminal conviction.
During its Aug. 4 meeting, the council entered an executive session to discuss Hockenbury’s possible removal. Councilmember Rene Heinrich proposed the closed-door session, citing the need for immediate action following the resolution of Hockenbury’s criminal case.
Court records show Hockenbury entered an Alford plea on July 28 in response to charges of third-degree sexual abuse. An Alford plea means he accepted a guilty conviction without admitting to the alleged conduct.
He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with the full sentence conditionally discharged for two years, meaning he will not serve the jail time unless he violates the court’s conditions. Hockenbury was also ordered to have no contact with the victim, remain at least 500 feet from the victim, her home and her workplace, and pay $165 in court costs.
“Now that we have a guilty plea, I feel pretty strongly that I don’t necessarily, as a citizen of Highland Heights, want him to be part of the group of people that represent me,” Heinrich said.
The 32-year-old, who is a working attorney in the area and former Campbell County Republican Party Treasurer, was arrested in February on charges of sexual abuse in the third degree, after a woman reported unwanted sexual conduct and inappropriate comments from Hockenbury, who at the time was her attorney.
Following public council member concerns that Hockenbury posed a potential conflict of interest earlier this summer, Hockenbury has remained absent from the last several meetings.
After the conclusion of Tuesday’s executive session and resumption of the regular meeting, Heinrich requested Hockenbury’s immediate voluntary resignation from council and withdrawal in the upcoming general election.
“I think it’s a black eye on our city, and I just don’t think that it’s something we can let slide under the carpet,” Heinrich said.
In addition to Heinrich’s request, several other council members expressed their concerns with the future of Hockenbury’s time on city council.
“I feel the same way [as council member Heinrich],” said Highland Heights City councilmember Gary Chinn. “The reason we represent the city is to represent our residents and I don’t think we should have a person like this on the council.”
In Kentucky, a sitting council member can only be removed through a formal hearing in cases of misconduct, incapacity or willful neglect. Although Hockenbury can voluntarily resign from his position, several council members stated they would be willing to pursue a public hearing for permanent removal if needed.
LINK nky has reached out to Hockenbury for comment. We will update this story if he replies.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 1.
