Former E.O. Smith Teacher's Aide, Coach Had Sexual Relations With 3 Students: Police

A former teacher's aid and sports coach at E.O. Smith High School has been charged with sexual assault after having relations with three students during his time at the school, according to state police.

Geoffrey Justin Gillette, 22, of Coventry, is accused of having sexual relations with three 17-year-old girls who were students at the school. Police said the relationships were consensual.

Authorities began investigating in May and arrested Gillette on Oct. 28. Gillette was charged with three counts each of second-degree sexual assault/statutory rape and risk of injury to a minor.

Gillette began working as a paraprofessional at E.O. Smith High School in January 2013 through the contracting service EASTCONN, according to the warrant for his arrest.

He became assistant football coach in 2012 and assistant track coach in the spring of 2013. According to the arrest warrant, Gillette developed a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl on the track team that summer.

The two drifted apart when the school year started and Gillette began pursuing two other 17-year-old girls. He had consensual sex with the second student several times between February and May 2014 and with the third student in April of this year, according to the arrest warrant.

School principal Louis DeLoreto contacted police and the Department of Children and Families in May after learning of the inappropriate relationships, the warrant says. Gillette resigned from his position at E.O. Smith on May 12.

"The district takes seriously its obligations to investigate any reports of alleged violations brought to its attention. The prompt reporting of concerns about any staff member or student to an administrator is an essential part of our continued efforts to maintain a safe and appropriate school environment," school Supt. Bruce W. Silva said in a statement Friday.

We are very disappointed that incidents like this distract from the many great things that happen in our high school each day. School administrators will continue to cooperate with law enforcement authorities with regard to this matter," Silva added.

It’s the second time an E.O. Smith teacher and coach has been arrested in as many months. In early October, veteran girls’ soccer coach Jeffrey Sirois was arrested after allegedly sending a lewd video to his players.

Gillette, who is out on $50,000 bond, could not be reached for comment on Friday.

Teddie Sleight, manager and communications director at EASTCONN, said information on Gillette's arrest would not be available until after the weekend.

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