Former Worthington Christian coach discovered lifeless after being accused of sexual contact with college students, police say

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A former ladies basketball coach accused of sexual exploitation with two former underage college students has died by obvious suicide, in line with sources within the Columbus Division of Police.

Jason Dawson, 35, was charged earlier this month with 10 counts of sexual battery in Franklin County Frequent Pleas Courtroom. He posted bond in that case final Friday. Dawson was a former ladies basketball coach and instructor at Worthington Christian Excessive College in Westerville.

Dawson was additionally hit with federal charges Tuesday, accused of the sexual exploitation of a minor and the distribution, receipt, and possession of kid pornography by the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety within the U.S. District Courtroom of the Southern District of Ohio.

The sexual battery costs stem from accusations from two former college students and gamers coached by Dawson, who alleged he engaged in sexual exercise with them between 2020 and 2022. One of many victims mentioned she and Dawson engaged in sexual activity approximately 100 times, in line with court docket information.

The federal costs stem from Dawson allegedly filming himself having intercourse with each victims on a number of events. Each victims have been beneath the age of 18 on the time the alleged sexual actions happened, court docket information state.

Dawson was arrested and charged with 10 counts of sexual battery in Franklin County Frequent Pleas Courtroom. He waived his arraignment on these costs and was out of jail after posting bond last Friday. He pleaded not responsible to all costs.

Dawson, who moved to North Carolina in 2022, was extradited to Columbus to face the costs in opposition to him.

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