Former Miami East Coach/Teacher Indicted On Importuning

The Miami County grand jury returned an indictment Thursday against former coach and teacher Chad Widener of near Casstown, nearly six months after being placed on administrative leave with pay. The charge is importuning, a fifth-degree felony.

Importuning means to request or solicit, in this case, alleged sex with a 15-year-old girl, by way of e-mails and text messages, according to the Miami County Sheriff's Department.

Widener recently resigned as a history teacher at Miami East Junior High School and as the girl's varsity basketball coach at Miami East High School.

If convicted as charged, the 37-year-old Widener could get a maximum of 12 months in prison and a fine as high as $2,500. He could also lose his teaching certificate for the state of Ohio.

Widener is a Miami East High School graduate. He has been teaching and coaching at his alma mater since 1995.

An arraignment date is set for later this month.

Steve.Baker@WHIOTV.com