UTESCH CHARGES DROPPED

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CHARGES IN PLYMOUTH COUNTY HAVE BEEN DROPPED AGAINST A FORMER AKRON-WESTFIELD COACH.

CHAD UTESCH WAS CHARGED WITH ONE FELONY COUNT AND FIVE MISDEMEANOR COUNTS OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION BY A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE.

UTESCH WAS AN ASSISTANT WRESTLING COACH AT AKRON WESTFIELD AND WAS CHARGED WITH COMMITTING THE OFFENSES WITH A FEMALE STUDENT BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND DECEMBER OF 2011.

IN HIS DECISION TO APPROVE THE DEFENSE MOTION TO DISMISS THE CHARGES, JUDGE JEFFREY NEARY RULED THAT SINCE UTESCH'S COACHING CERTIFICATE HAD EXPIRED IN JANUARY OF 2010, HE DID NOT MEET THE DEFINITION OF A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE, AND COULD NOT BE CHARGED AS SUCH.