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Prosecutors: Coach charged in sex case still contacting minors
Thursday, January 17, 2008
TROY — Miami County prosecutors want the bond for a former Troy Christian High School coach charged with sexual battery modified to prohibit contact with minors via the Internet.
James H. Clay, 41, of Troy was released on his own recognizance after pleading not guilty in December to the felony charge accusing him of sexual conduct with a 15-year-old girl. A trial is scheduled in April.
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The bond included a condition that Clay have no contact with the alleged victim and her family.
Prosecutors on Thursday filed a request with Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Welbaum asking for review and modification of the bond.
"We have information he (Clay) is contacting underage females on the Internet, and we are asking the court to prohibit that communication," County Prosecutor Gary Nasal said.
Welbaum scheduled a hearing for Tuesday.
Clay was a freshman boys' basketball coach at Troy Christian school for about two years before he was fired in February. School Superintendent Gary Wilber said the firing occurred before allegations of misconduct with a minor surfaced. Clay was fired for allegedly making inappropriate comments to staff members, Wilber said.
Clay's home between Troy and Piqua was destroyed in a Dec. 21 fire that remains under investigation by the sheriff's office, state fire marshals and the Troy Fire Department. A reward is being offered by the state, but no one has been charged in the case.
Clay told investigators someone broke into the house and started a fire, chasing him and two young children from the house. No one was injured. Sheriff's deputies said the words "guilty" and "leave" and a racial slur were painted on Clay's car before the fire broke out.
Contact this reporter at (937) 335-4357 or nbowman@DaytonDailyNews.com.
