Daughter of County Commissioner Reveals She is the Victim of His Sexual Assault in Las Vegas

HANCOCK COUNTY — Rachel Jessup fondly recalls childhood memories of accompanying her father, John Jessup, to the polls on Election Day. As a kindergartener, she passionately urged voters to support her dad when he ran for a state legislative leadership position.

“‘Please vote for my daddy’ is what I used to say to voters,” Rachel shared. “I was just a typical 5-year-old who idolized him. Throughout the years, I was always there by his side during his political campaigns because I was his go-to person at the polls. I was a daddy’s girl.”

Now 22 and a college student, Rachel has distanced herself from her father, whom she now refers to as “John” instead of “Dad.” This shift follows allegations that Jessup sexually assaulted her during what should have been a celebratory weekend in Las Vegas for her 21st birthday.

Last week in Las Vegas, the case concluded with Jessup admitting guilt to a lesser charge of sexual assault under a plea agreement. He had originally faced a more severe felony charge that could have resulted in up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for April 2025, and as the case nears its end, Rachel feels compelled to share her story about how John betrayed her trust.

The traumatic event occurred on January 25 while they were celebrating Rachel's milestone birthday. What was meant to be an exciting trip quickly turned into one of the worst nights of her life.

“He took all my siblings to Las Vegas when they turned 21, and it was finally my turn,” Rachel recalled. “I never imagined it would end like this.”

Jessup was arrested this past summer after allegedly getting Rachel intoxicated enough for her to pass out before taking advantage of her while she was incapacitated.

“I’m not much of a drinker,” Rachel explained. “But once we arrived, he kept insisting I keep up with him and ordered me drinks until I became drunk.”

Prior to that night, Rachel stated that Jessup had never behaved inappropriately towards her; however, their relationship had been strained due to conflicts with his third wife.

“After my parents divorced, I maintained some sort of relationship with him compared to my siblings,” she said. “But he never truly acted like a father; he felt more like a friend. After that night, I'll always refer to him as ‘John’ instead of ‘Dad.’”

Rachel now reflects on whether Jessup intentionally orchestrated the events of that night since he discouraged her from bringing along her longtime boyfriend.

“I felt excited about going because my siblings had gone before me,” she said. “He mentioned that our grandmother and her husband would join us too, so I thought it would be fine.” Ultimately, she regrets making that decision.

The two stayed in separate beds within one hotel room while their grandmother occupied another room with her husband.

“When I woke up, I realized someone had touched me inappropriately,” Rachel recounted. “There’s also this lost time where I passed out and can’t recall what happened.”

Upon realizing the assault had taken place, Rachel left the room immediately and called both her boyfriend and mother before boarding the first flight back home from Las Vegas. Her family greeted her at the airport and supported her decision to report what occurred.

“At the airport in Las Vegas, I was shaking and crying while talking to strangers who tried helping me,” she said tearfully. “I managed somehow to get on a plane and return home where my mom and stepdad picked me up.”

The following day—January 27—Rachel went with her stepfather—a former law enforcement official—to file an official report at both the police station and hospital.

This marked the beginning of holding Jessup accountable for his actions—a choice that initially weighed heavily on Rachel due concern over potential repercussions within their family dynamics.

"It wasn’t easy because at this point some siblings were improving their relationship with John," she explained. "However, thinking about my nieces and nephews made me realize I needed to protect them from experiencing anything similar." She resolved not let such patterns persist within their family unit—with support from all sides encouraging her pursuit for justice.

Credit goes out toward officials at Shirley Police Department who ensured accountability through appropriate channels—with interviews leading directly into charges against Jessup based upon his own admissions regarding inappropriate behavior towards his daughter during questioning by local authorities.

"This has been an incredibly long journey," admitted Rachel through teary eyes as emotions surfaced again while reflecting back towards difficult moments faced throughout this entire process—days feeling paralyzed by grief unable even rise out bed or attend classes resulting ultimately leading taking semester off school altogether due overwhelming burden placed upon shoulders bearing trauma experienced throughout ordeal itself."

"I'm looking back at everything just wondering what intentions were whole time,"

"It's hard."

"You can't blame them for being uninformed; they're simply unaware."

"It's OK come forward - though difficult sharing story important."

"I'll never understand how anyone could do something like this especially against own child."

"This breaks heart others may suffer similar fates behind closed doors without voice speak up."