TROY — Two Miami County men accused of sexual activity with teen-age girls while employed by schools — one as a band assistant, the other as a coach — pleaded not guilty Thursday to felony sexual battery indictments.

Anthony Spahr, 28, of Troy pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual battery for alleged sexual conduct this summer with a 17-year-old girl in West Milton while employed as an assistant band director at Milton-Union schools.

Bail was set at $10,000 and a bond check was ordered by Judge Jeffrey Welbaum in Miami County Common Pleas Court.

Spahr already was being held on $20,000 bail set at his arraignment in November on another count of sexual battery. That charge alleges sexual activity with a 16-year-old girl at his apartment in West Milton.

Defense lawyer Chris Bucio asked the judge to release Spahr on electronically monitored house arrest, saying Spahr would stay with his mother in Troy. Tony Kendell, an assistant county prosecutor, opposed release on house arrest.

Welbaum said if Spahr is released following the bond check he will be prohibited from any contact with the alleged victims and their families.

Also pleading not guilty was James H. Clay, 41, of Piqua. He faces one felony count of sexual battery for alleged sexual conduct with a 15-year-old girl in Piqua while employed as a freshman boys' basketball coach at Troy Christian School.

Clay was released on his own recognizance. Kendell said prosecutors did not oppose Clay's release, but requested an order prohibiting contact by Clay with the alleged victim and her family. Welbaum issued the order.

Clay was a coach at Troy Christian School for about two years before he was fired in February. Troy Christian Superintendent Gary Wilber said this week the firing occurred before the allegations of misconduct with a minor surfaced and came after Clay allegedly made inappropriate comments to staff members.

Spahr was asked to resign from Milton-Union schools in October after school officials received a call claiming Spahr was involved with a minor. Sheriff's deputies and prosecutors said this week they continue to investigate Spahr and more charges are possible.