MANSFIELD – A member of the Ohio State Highway Patrol resigned in August after an internal investigation revealed that he was sending inappropriate text messages while on duty to a woman he met at a conference in an official capacity.
Sgt. Adam Burkhart, formerly of the Mansfield division of OHSP, resigned Aug. 14 after a three-day internal investigation.
According to the official documents obtained by 10TV, based on his work shift “for the days and times in question, Burkhart admitted to sending sexually graphic text messages to (the victim) while on duty. He also admitted to sending the picture of his bare chest on duty.”
While the victim said she to never told Burkhart the conduct was unwanted, it was later several months later she said the fallout truly occurred.
Burkhart apologized for his actions about six months later and the victim felt at that time their work relationship could go forward.
More than a year after the initial incident, though, Burkhart withheld work from the victim and the organizations she represented, which is when she came forward.
“(The victim) was angry because she thought Burkhart was trying to get back at her for the incident last June by taking her program away from her. (She) wanted to confront Burkhart but didn’t want to make a scene, so she decided she would get ahold (of his supervisor) after the conference.”
In the report, Staff Lt. Herbert Homan stated there was “a clear attempt by Burkhart to control the program...There is no question Burkhart either directly or otherwise put (the victim) on notice that he was controlling the program…and she wouldn’t be involved any longer.”
Burkhart was placed on Leave Aug. 9, was recommended for termination Aug. 11 and resigned Aug. 14.
According to the documents the victim and Burkhart met at a conference and within several hours, Burkhart was sending her sexually suggestive texts and photos. The victim said she never responded with photos of her own and that the phone did not send or receive photos. She did furnish an email address to Burkhart so he could send the photos but said she has no idea the photos would be sexual in nature.
She said she stopped responding once the texts became “vulgar,” in hopes he would understand what that meant.
