Convicted coach seen in Tennessee
A former youth soccer coach who has been missing since tampering with a monitoring device to escape his trial last month has been seen in two Tennessee cities, using Uber to get around and eating at popular restaurants, a Montgomery County Sheriff ’s detective said.
Justin K. Smith, 41, of Germantown, has been the subject of a nationwide search since he fled his sexual assault trial involving a 14-year-old girl he coached. He was absent two days later when a judge on Nov. 2 convicted him of eight felony counts — including unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, sexual battery and sexual imposition — involving an inappropriate relationship with the girl.
Smith was located Oct. 31 on security video at a Marriott hotel and Walmart in the Lexington, Kentucky, area the same day he left his trial in Dayton. A white Ford F150 was found abandoned there.
Detective Isaiah Kellar said Smith was in the Nashville and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, areas between Nov. 1 and 5.
“Financial records show he was using Uber, and ate at Panera Bread, Chili’s” restaurants, and stayed in hotels in both cities, Kellar said.
It is suspected Smith, who has been using his name as well as J. Smith and Justin House, is using cash, prepaid credit cards and prepaid cellphones.
“His current location is unknown and could be in the southern parts of the United States,” Kellar said.
Smith fled his trial after testifying on his behalf. The trial took a break for lunch, during which Smith left Dayton. He cut his electronic ankle bracelet monitor, which later was found in Franklin.
Smith is 5 feet 11, weighs between 275 and 300 pounds, is bald, has blue eyes and possibly a goatee. Anyone who spots him is urged to call 911.