Akron Teacher Guilty of Sexual Battery

(Akron, Ohio) In March 2007, a special-education teacher at Springfield High School, Renee Smith, was arrested for allegedly engaging in sexual relations with 17-year-old male students of which at least one was a special-needs student in her class.

The alleged sexual behavior was rumored at the school and ultimately became known to Superintendent Jerry Pecko who notified Springfield Township Police. Investigators later learned that Smith had sex with only one boy while providing another with drugs and alcohol.

Yesterday, 37-year-old Smith pleaded guilty in Summit County Common Pleas Court to to one felony count of sexual battery, two felony counts of corrupting another with drugs and two misdemeanor counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Sentencing by Judge Elinore Stormer is scheduled for August 15th. Smith will surrender her teaching credentials and must register as a sex offender.