A former Archbishop Hoban High School teacher has admitted in Summit County court that he sexually abused two students over multiple years. Chad Kendall, 37, pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual battery and remains free on bond while the case moves toward sentencing. His criminal plea has also triggered a separate civil lawsuit accusing school officials of failing to act after earlier complaints.
Plea deal and sentencing
As reported by Cleveland.com, Kendall entered guilty pleas to six third-degree felony counts while prosecutors asked the court to dismiss four other counts. Prosecutors and the defense jointly recommended an eight-year prison term, and Judge Joy Malek Oldfield is set to sentence Kendall at 11 a.m. on May 19, 2026. Separate reporting from the Akron Beacon Journal, reprinted at AOL, notes Kendall would be required to register as a Tier-III sex offender after any prison term.
What prosecutors say
The Summit County Prosecutor's Office says Kendall “groomed and engaged in an unlawful sexual relationship with a student at Archbishop Hoban High School” between 2022 and 2025 and began grooming a second, younger student during that same period, according to News 5 Cleveland. Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich praised the students for coming forward, saying, “Students should be safe at school,” and added that their decision to report helped protect others from similar harm.
Allegations and civil suit
A civil complaint filed by a former Hoban student, detailed in Akron Beacon Journal reporting carried at AOL, describes an escalating pattern that began with requests for sexual photographs and progressed to in-person sexual contact. That reporting says alleged incidents took place backstage at the school, at Kendall's home, and at least once in North Canton. An attorney for one of the students told reporters she was “glad to see Mr. Kendall take responsibility today.”
Legal consequences
Kendall pleaded to third-degree felony sexual-battery counts that carry potential prison time; the plea agreement includes the joint recommendation of an eight-year sentence and the requirement that he register as a Tier-III sex offender, per Akron Beacon Journal reporting. Ohio's framework for sentencing third-degree felonies sets definite prison-term options; see the Ohio Revised Code for statutory guidance on sentencing ranges.
Next steps
Kendall was arrested by Akron police in August 2025 and remains out on bond until his May 19 sentencing, according to Cleveland 19. The criminal plea does not resolve a separate civil lawsuit in Stark County that accuses Hoban of failing to act on earlier reports, and both the criminal and civil cases are expected to move forward in the coming weeks.
