UNION TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- A Clermont County inmate conspired with another inmate to kill an 11-year-old girl he's accused of sexually assaulting, authorities said.
Clermont County Sheriff Steve Leahy said 38-year-old Joseph Addison, of Union Township, solicited the help of the other inmate in murdering the girl, her legal guardian and three witnesses who would testify in court.
Addison has been indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit murder and five counts of attempted aggravated murder after an inmate told correction officers Addison had approached him about the murder-for-hire plan, officials said.
Deputies have been collecting evidence since Monday, and they said they feel confident Addison only spoke to one inmate.
"I am sincerely thankful for the cooperative efforts of Sheriff’s Office personnel, the Union Township Police Department and the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office who approached this investigation with the sense of urgency it called for,” Leahy said. “Addison’s horrific attempt to better his case, would have had deadly consequences for his young victim. All I can say, is what a pathetic excuse for a human being."
Addison is under indictment for accusations of rape and gross sexual imposition Union Township police said happened in Clermont County between August 2013 and November 2017.
Addison will remain in administrative segregation for the remainder of his stay at the Clermont County Jail, and he will only be allowed to speak to his attorney over the phone, authorities said.
Addison is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment at 9 a.m. Friday.
