Soccer Coach Arrested After Sending Teens Obscene Video: Police

A varsity girls' soccer coach at E.O. Smith High School has been arrested and fired after allegedly sending an "improper video" to a number of minors through a smart phone application.

Police said on Friday that 57-year-old Jeffrey Sirois, of Lebanon, sent an "improper video" through a photo app called Snapchat to a number of teens, including 14- and 16-year-olds.

"They weren't sure if it was on purpose or if it was an accident," said high school junior Hunter McKinney, who has friends on the varsity girls' soccer team. "But they all kind of were freaked out about it too."

He has been arrested and charged with impairing the morals of a minor, two counts of obscenity and two counts of breach of peace.

Supt. Bruce Silva said Sirois was terminated from his coaching position on Thursday. According to the superintendent, Sirois was not a teacher and was never in a classroom setting.

"Prompt and immediate action was taken when the School became aware of this matter," Silva said in a statement Friday. "The Board shares the concern that parents and the public at large will have in receiving this news. The Board has always, and will continue to, uphold high standards for its staff and anyone working with children."

Silva said the Board of Education is cooperating with investigators and added that "internal disciplinary proceedings and well as criminal proceedings" are pending.

"I couldn't believe something like this happened here because our school is such a nice place," said E.O. Smith sophomore Anna-Maraya Bellizzi.

Police began investigating after high school officials contacted them late last month. Authorities confirmed the investigation on Wednesday but released very limited information about the circumstances surrounding it.

Neighbors said Sirois also owns a local market and deli and were surprised to learn about the investigation into his conduct.

"I know he's coached girls' soccer for a number of years and the kids always enjoyed him as a coach, from what I understand," said Mike Okonuk, Sirois' neighbor in Lebanon.
 
NBC Connecticut spoke with Sirois' wife, who confirmed Wednesday that her husband was under investigation following an "inappropriate" incident, but declined to elaborate on the details.

"He's also a referee," Marilu Sirois said. "So soccer really is his life. I'm the soccer widow. It's been my nickname in his pool forever."

She also would not comment on her husband's employment with the school and said she had not been contacted by authorities at that point.

Sirois is being held on $100,000 bond and is due in court Monday.

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