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New charges against former Northmont coach

The Montgomery County Prosecutor’s office has approved filing two counts of sexual battery against former Northmont Coach Loren Meadows.

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By Doug Page, Staff Writer Updated 10:56 PM Tuesday, June 30, 2009

UNION — A former Northmont High School teacher and coach could spend up to 10 years in prison if convicted of having sexual relations with a former student.

Montgomery County prosecutors on Tuesday, June 30, filed two counts of felony sexual battery against Loren P. Meadows for alleged acts on the same day he pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor charges in Clinton County related to a June arrest with a partially clad teen.

Meadows, 35, of Union, is charged with having sexual relations in April and May with the 17-year-old then-student, according to Union police Chief Michael Blackwell.

“The offense occurred while (the victim) was a student and athlete under Meadows’ supervision,” Blackwell said.

Under Ohio law, a teacher or coach can be charged with sexual battery, a third-degree felony, if the victim is a student or athlete who attends the same school.

Meadows, who resigned last week, taught social studies and served as assistant football coach and head boys and girls track coach.

A grand jury meets July 14 and could file more charges. No arrest warrant was issued. “That would come after the grand jury,” Blackwell said.

Dennis Lieberman, Meadows’ attorney, said his client is presumed innocent.

“This is just the inception of an investigation,” Lieberman said. “I hope people will give him that presumption as the investigation unfolds.”

Also Tuesday, Meadows, through an attorney, pleaded not guilty in Clinton County Municipal Court to misdemeanor charges of obstructing official business and resisting arrest stemming from his arrest June 23 . A pretrial hearing is Aug. 18.

The Meadows case is the second time in two years that a former Northmont teacher is facing charges of having sexual relations with a student.

A year ago, Jason Simmons, a former Ohio State football team captain and Northmont Middle School teacher, was convicted of having sex with a 14-year-old female student.

Simmons pleaded guilty last year to three counts of sexual battery and served a year in prison.

“We have to know why lightning has struck twice,” said Bob Gentis, the district’s director of student services. “What can we do better to ensure the safety of our students and staff?”

Gentis said the district will review all of its practices from hiring to background checks.

“There is no reason to believe this is a systemic problem,” he said when asked Tuesday. “But … we need to look under every stone, examine everything.”

Meadows told deputies the relationship started “with hugs and kisses” prior to track meets

“That is inappropriate, in my opinion,” Gentis said when asked about Meadows’ alleged actions prior to meets.

There was no record of any disciplinary actions in Meadows’ personnel file, and he was praised by supervisors as a solid classroom teacher and coach who interacted well with his students and athletes.

Gentis said teachers and coaches must always know where the line is that they must never cross.

“You have to be so careful when reaching out to kids,” he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2290 or dpage@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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