A former Germantown soccer coach was not in the courtroom when he was convicted Friday morning of sexual battery and other crimes involving a 14-year-old girl he coached.
Justin K. Smith, 41, was on trial this week in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court on eight counts involving sex crimes against a teen.
After testifying Wednesday, Smith disabled his electronic monitoring ankle bracelet and did not return from lunch, which triggered a nationwide warrant.
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Judge Erik Blaine said Friday morning he found the girl’s testimony credible, but he did not find Smith’s testimony valid. He said Smith broke the trust his role as coach carried, and said he isolated and abused the 14-year-old.
Blaine revoked Smith’s bond and said he would schedule sentencing for Smith after he is apprehended.
Smith was a soccer coach for the Southwest Soccer Club, also known as the Germantown Swarm.
The 14-year-old’s mother told the court she discovered a text message exchange allegedly between Smith and her daughter, that included the words “I love you” and more explicit messages. The mother said when she confronted her daughter about the messages, the girl broke down crying.
Smith was charged with three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, three counts of sexual battery and two counts of sexual imposition, according to Montgomery County records.
He waived his right to a jury trial.
