Samuel Glenn was indicted on a third-degree felony count of sexual battery by a Montgomery County grand jury Wednesday, according to court documents. His arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 17.
Details contained in investigative documents obtained by the Dayton Daily News reveal that he allegedly engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student and also made several inappropriate overtures to other students via social media.
“This was a consensual sexual relationship, but the consensual doesn’t matter, he was in a position of authority and no matter how you play it, it’s against the law,” Centerville police officer John Davis said.
The incident reportedly happened between Jan. 14 and 15 in 2017. Centerville police opened an investigation into the relationship in May 2017. The investigation was closed without any charges being filed after the student involved declined to participate, police said in May 2017.
New information surfaced, prompting detectives to reopen the investigation. Several emails revealed that Glenn allegedly allowed students to skip class and maintained a flirtatious nature with students while corresponding with them. One person reported to the school district seeing a student post something on Twitter indicating inappropriate conduct by Glenn.
“Anytime you have that situation — a teacher, a coach, anyone in a position of authority — they can’t engage in these relationships,” Davis said. “We see it over and over…When you’re in these positions of authority, there’s never an appropriate time to have a relationship, especially sexual.”
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Glenn resigned from his position teaching English in May 2017 shortly after he was placed on administrative leave. He also coached baseball, golf and was an adviser for multiple clubs at the high school.
Documents from the school district indicate that he resigned, under the threat of termination for engaging in inappropriate behaviors with students.”
The behavior listed by the district included: a sexual relationship with a student, flirting with students, social media contact - texting/snapping students, emailing students and socializing with students.
Glenn surrendered his teaching license permanently in July 2018. In a letter submitted May, 8, 2017, Glenn wrote: Due to personal reason, I am resigning my position as English teacher at Centerville High School , effective immediately.” He also resigned positions as assistant freshmen baseball coach, mock trial co-adviser, golf coach, book club co-adviser, and Feminist Club adviser.
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After news of the indictment was released, Centerville City Schools Community Relations Specialist, Sarah Swan said, “We take the safety of our students seriously, and we reacted immediately when the information came to our attention.”
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