A Springfield High School assistant football coach and security aide has pleaded not guilty to a gross sexual imposition charge stemming from an alleged incident inside the school building in August. Conley Smoot entered the plea on Monday, according to court documents tied to the case.
Court documents filed in Clark County Municipal Court on Monday identify the charge against Smoot as gross sexual imposition, as reported by WHIO TV. The alleged incident took place at Springfield High School on August 19, 2026. Smoot works as both a security aide and an assistant football coach at the school.
According to the court documents, a co-worker told investigators that she and Smoot initially had a casual conversation while another employee was present. The co-worker said Smoot had texted her that morning, inviting her to the coach's office around 6:28 a.m., and that she arrived around 9:18 a.m., per the same account.
What the Court Documents Allege
Court documents state that Smoot asked the co-worker about her relationship status and whether they could be friends. He reportedly told her she could touch him, but she declined, the documents say. Smoot then allegedly touched the woman's breast after saying he would make the first move, according to the filing cited by WHIO TV.
The woman reported being asked around seven to eight times to touch Smoot, expose herself, or perform a sexual act, per the court documents. She also said Smoot prevented her from leaving by partially blocking the door, and that he stopped touching her and opened the door only after hearing footsteps approach. Officers alleged that a search of Smoot's web history showed he had searched whether touching a strange woman's breast could result in jail time or a fine, according to the documents.
District Placed Smoot on Leave Without Explaining Why
Springfield City School District officials placed Smoot on administrative leave in August 2026, according to daytondailynews.com. The district said the decision did not involve a student but did not specify any other reason for the leave. Springfield City Schools declined to comment on what led to the administrative action, and the district did not respond when asked about Smoot's current employment status.
Smoot has been a coach at Springfield High School for several seasons, the outlet reported, and social media accounts had listed him as the football team's defensive coordinator and strength coach. An arrest report dated October 23, 2026, listed Springfield City Schools as his employer, and the district's own website had listed him as a security aide.
What Ohio Law Says About Gross Sexual Imposition
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2907.05(C), a violation of the statute constitutes the offense of gross sexual imposition. Separately, Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.40(B) requires a superintendent or chief administrative officer to suspend a covered school employee from duties involving the care, custody, or control of a child while a criminal case tied to certain listed offenses is pending.
Smoot's not guilty plea was entered this week, and no further court dates, bond conditions, or details about legal representation have been made public. Hoodline will continue to follow developments in the case as they become available.
