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Delight girls basketball coach charged with sexual assault March 19, 2007 - | Editor/Publisher

Publisher/Editor

MURFREESBORO – A Delight Schools girls basketball coach has been charged with sexual assault in the first degree for allegedly having sexual intercourse or deviate sexual activity with a female student under age 18.

Chad D. Smith, 27, of Delight, entered a plea of not guilty in Pike County Circuit Court Monday morning. He was released on a $50,000 bond.

Smith, who is single according to the school, was represented by attorney Jeff Harrelson of Texarkana.

Circuit Judge Charles Yeargan told Smith he was charged with sexual assault in the first degree, a Class A felony, which could result in imprisonment for a term of not less than six years nor more than 30 years and a fine not to exceed $15,000. Asked if he understood the charge, Smith said he did. Smith then entered a plea of “not guilty.”

Dan Graves, Nashville attorney and special prosecutor, asked Judge Yeargan if he would remind Smith not to have any contact with the female.

Judge Yeargan set May 7 as a pretrial date and May 17 as a trial date.

According to the affidavit of arrest, on March 14 a juvenile female enrolled in Delight Schools stated that from Oct. 1, 2006 to March 5, 2007, she had oral sexual relations with the coach who coaches both the junior high and senior high girls teams.

Pike County Sheriff Jerry Jones said in a press conference outside of the courthouse that Smith voluntarily turned himself in to Pike County authorities, contrary to a rumor that he was the subject of a manhunt. Smith paid a $50,000 bond and was released at the time.

Smith’s court appearance Monday brought Little Rock television station crews from Channels Four, Seven, and 11 to Murfreesboro. He arrived accompanied by his attorney and sat next to his bail bondsman, Lake Key, Jr., of Texarkana.

Sharon Streett, attorney for the Delight School District, attended the hearing with Delight Supt. Curtis Turner, Jr. and School Principal Tanya Wilcher.

Streett said afterwards that Smith is suspended with pay of about $33,000 pending completion of a separate investigation by the school district. She said she expected that investigation to last about one week and then a recommendation will be made to the school board.

Smith has just completed his first year at the school. He came to Delight from Umpire Schools, according to school officials.

On Friday, Streett, on behalf of the school district, released a statement saying the school was “cooperating fully with the sheriff’s investigation in the matter and taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of its students at school.”

“I want to remind everyone that my client is innocent until proven guilty,” Harrelson said afterwards.

Harrelson said he has just begun his own investigation.

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