Former Strongsville football coach indicted on sex charges involving minors at West Geauga schools
CHARDON, Ohio (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team has learned that the former Strongsville football coach has been indicted on charges of having sexual conduct with juvenile victims while he was employed at a school district in Geauga County.
Louis A. Cirino, 40, of Columbia Station, was arrested at about 9:30 a.m. on Friday by Geauga County sheriff deputies. An indictment filed in Geauga County Common Pleas Court states Cirino is facing a felony charge of sexual battery and a felony charge of gross sexual imposition.
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According to the indictment, the sexual battery offense allegedly happened between Dec. 21, 2009, and December 20, 2010, and the offense of gross sexual imposition allegedly happened between December 21, 2004, and December 20, 2005. The gross sexual imposition charge also states the victim was under the age of 13 at the time of the offense.
At the time, Cirino was working for West Geauga Local Schools, according to authorities.
“Fortunately, there were victims that came forward and due to the outstanding work by the Chester Township Police Department, we were able to secure an indictment,” Geauga County Prosecutor James Flaiz told the I-Team.
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Cirino was removed as football coach in December. He was also placed on administrative leave in December after school district officials were advised of the allegations.
Strongsville City Schools Superintendent Cameron Ryba on Friday afternoon sent a letter to district families which read:
Dear Strongsville Families:
In December, I informed you that a member of our Strongsville High School staff had been placed on paid administrative leave as a result of allegations of an inappropriate relationship involving a student while the staff member was employed by another school district. This morning, the staff member, Louis Cirino, was arrested on charges of Sexual Battery and Gross Sexual Imposition. Due to this arrest, Mr. Cirino has been placed on unpaid administrative leave. Since December and moving forward, Mr. Cirino has not and will not be permitted to be on any school grounds or have contact with any Strongsville students.
We approach every claim of misconduct with utmost seriousness and conduct comprehensive investigations into each matter. Although the allegations of Mr. Cirino’s involvement in an inappropriate relationship pertained only to a former student at his former district of employment, in accordance with board policy, the Strongsville City School District initiated an internal investigation. The internal investigation did not produce any evidence that Mr. Cirino engaged in inappropriate conduct with any Strongsville student. Our District will continue to cooperate with local and county law enforcement agencies as this matter progresses.
Maintaining the well-being and safety of our students is the top priority of the Strongsville City School District. If you ever have a concern about student well-being, please be aware that all students, families, and community members have access to the anonymous Stay Safe. Speak Up! tipline at 1-866-listen2me (1-866-547-8362) or through the online submission form at this link: Student Safety Reporting. You can also reach out to me (cryba@scsmustangs.org) at any time.
Strongsville City Schools Superintendent Cameron Ryba
The I-Team requested Cirino’s personnel file from Strongsville City Schools but has not yet received it.
Cirino is set for arraignment in the Geauga County Common Pleas Court at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 15.
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