Trooper fired for actions related to affair

Van Wert independent/OSHP information

An 18-year veteran Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper and assistant Van Wert Post commander has been terminated from his position, reportedly for his actions related to an affair that allegedly included sex, texting and phone calls while on duty and for lying when questioned during an investigation.

Sergeant Jeff Hauenstein was terminated December 22 for conduct unbecoming an officer and for making false statements. He has filed an appeal, Patrol officials said, and is currently on paid administrative leave.

The decision to terminate Hauenstein, which came from Patrol Superintendent Colonel John Born’s office, stated: “Through administrative investigation … it was found that Sergeant Hauenstein engaged in a sexual encounter during his paid meal break. He was untruthful when questioned about his behavior in the subsequent administrative investigation.”

Hauenstein was accused of having an affair, starting in early July 2011, with a married woman who works for Van Wert Municipal Court the two met while Hauenstein was assigned as the Post’s court officer. He also allegedly called and texted her while on duty — even from his cruiser. The woman’s estranged husband filed the original complaint.

The investigation, conducted by staff members of the Findlay District Headquarters, under the direction of Staff Lieutenant B. Gene Smith, former Van Wert Post commander, included interviews with Hauenstein, the woman involved in the affair and her estranged husband, and Lieutenant Ray Haas, current Van Wert Post commander.

When interviewed, Lt. Haas said Hauenstein had informed him of the affair and sought advice on the matter. Haas said he told Hauenstein the relationship was “wrong,” according to documents included in the investigation.

The investigation, which encompassed more than 180 pages of documentation, also noted that, during a 16-day period, Hauenstein received 135 text messages from the woman involved in the affair and had sent 122 text messages to her. Some of the text messages Hauenstein admitted he sent while operating his cruiser.

Hauenstein also reportedly had a sexual encounter with the woman at his residence on August 25 while on duty, but while taking a paid meal break, and also made threats to arrest the woman’s husband, or have him arrested, ostensibly for interfering with the affair, although Hauenstein said it was because he felt physically threatened by the husband.