New child sexual abuse investigator starts work – The Tribune

By Terry L. Hapney Jr.
Ironton Tribune

Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless has assigned Ironton Detective Kodi Pizella as the new child sexual abuse investigator, working with U.S. Attorney Brigham Anderson.
Pizelli’s nomination was made possible by a two-year grant of $161,000 and another grant totaling $45,000.
Anderson said the county has had a need for this since the late 1990s.
“This will make a huge difference for child victims of crime in our county,” Anderson said.
Pizelli, a 16-year law enforcement officer, joined the sheriff’s office in 2011. He previously worked as an officer with the Coal Grove, Proctorville and South Point police departments.
“I’ve been all over the county,” Pizelli said.
Pizelli started with the sheriff’s office as a jailer, then rose to highway patrol and then corporal before taking this position.
Pizelli was one of two SWAT team leaders in the county. He had spent the past few years training at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in interviewing crime victims, gathering evidence, human trafficking and preparing search warrants.
Pizelli recently returned from Cincinnati after completing the FBI’s advanced courtroom course.
Throughout his law enforcement career, Pizelli has participated in crime scene investigations, including murders, robberies, sexual assaults and neighbor disputes.
“My role is designed for sex crimes,” he said. “That’s every aspect of it — rape, sexual assault, gross sexual abuse, unlawful conduct with minors.”
Pizelli said early on that Children’s Services is a “huge asset” in investigations like this.
“They get most of these disclosures before we do,” he said. “Hope’s Place is phenomenal. They’re a huge asset to us in getting things done.”
When he took the job last week, Pizelli shared his contact information with employees at Children Services and Hope’s Place.
After the report is filed, it goes to Pizella. He goes through a forensic interview and observes it with the child. He also interviews suspects and collects DNA and other evidence.
“I will be present every step of the way from the very beginning until we go to court with the charges,” he said.
During the investigative processes, Anderson said Pizelli will examine cellphones, other electronic devices and collect other types of evidence. He said such investigations are initiated in a variety of ways.
“A child can report being abused by an adult, a relative, a teacher, a friend,” Anderson said.
Anderson said there are many ways victims can report a problem — through Children’s Services, the Sheriff’s Office, their local police department, their doctor, a teacher or an administrator.
“Once it’s reported, it generates a report,” Anderson said. “The report will go to that investigator. That investigator will be responsible for the entire investigation.”
A child victim of crime takes part in an interview at Hope’s Place.
“We have a forensic interviewer who interviews children in child sexual abuse cases,” Anderson said. “They will interview and question potential perpetrators. They will present the case to the prosecutor, to the court, to the jury.”
While this is an example of a process, “every case is different,” Anderson says.
Pizelli said he has contacted other law enforcement agencies in the county.
“Of course they can investigate (their own cases) themselves, but they can involve me if they want,” he said.
Recently, a case of child sexual abuse was reported to the Coal Grove Police Department. Police Chief Bill Murphy contacted Pizelli and another detective.
“He told us to come,” Pizelli said. “I talked to (the victim). I’ll take care of it from here.”
Pizelli said he likes helping people.
“I’ve been all over the county,” he said. “Most people will tell you that if they’ve had contact with me, they get along great. I like having that connection with people. It helps our office and the community when people are friendly and happy to see me.”
Pizelli said that before this assignment, Lawrence County had two detectives in the sheriff’s office. In 2023, there were more than 5,000 reports. Those two detectives check all of them.
“These two are doing a great job of it, but Mr. Anderson said the prosecutor’s office saw 61 cases of sexual assault last year, up from 27 the year before,” Pizelli said. “You see more and more of it as time goes on. It’s something that needs to be focused on. We’re all excited about this grant and this opportunity.”
As a liaison between multiple organizations, Pizelli said the most important aspect of this new position is teamwork.
“Sheriff Lawless’ office, Mr. Anderson’s office, Children’s Services and Hope’s Place — these entities, together, will work wonders,” Pizelli said.