By Logan Andrew | FreeWire Magazine — Your News, Your Voice
BUTLER, OH – The man once hailed by some as a vigilante hero for using his vehicle to stop a fleeing sex offender is now facing a different kind of legal fire. Butler Mayor Wesley Dingus was arraigned this morning in Mansfield Municipal Court on charges that have turned local support into widespread disgust.
In July 2025, Dingus made national headlines after allegedly striking Anthony Ward, a wanted parole violator, with his car during a police chase. While the incident led to felony indictments for aggravated assault and vehicular assault, a segment of the community stood behind him, viewing his actions as a form of street justice. That support appears to have vanished overnight following an investigation by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.
The latest charges—two misdemeanor counts of voyeurism—stem from an investigation into incidents occurring on January 13, 2026. According to the Richland Source, Dingus is accused of surreptitiously invading the privacy of a minor relative for sexual gratification. While official reports initially cited a “small video camera” as the source of the evidence, local sources indicate the device was placed by the Mayor’s own stepdaughter, who reportedly filmed Dingus sniffing her worn underwear. The evidence isn’t just hearsay; graphic video footage of the acts has already begun circulating on social media, leading to a firestorm of accusations and immediate calls for his resignation.
During his February 19 arraignment, Dingus entered a plea of not guilty. Despite the disturbing nature of the new evidence and the fact that he was already out on bond for violent felonies, Magistrate John McCollister set bond at $10,000 (with a 10% provision). The court did, however, issue a strict no-contact order with the minor and mandated electronic monitoring.
Dingus has secured highly experienced representation in James Mayer III,the same attorney handling his felony assault case in Common Pleas Court. While Mayer is known for navigating high stakes local cases, the court of public opinion in Butler seems to have already reached its verdict. As of today, Dingus remains the Mayor of Butler, though the village council is under mounting pressure to take action. With the video evidence now in the public eye, the “vigilante” narrative of 2025 has been replaced by a much darker reality.
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