Former Worthington Christian Coach Found Dead After Being Accused of Sexual Contact With Students, Police Say

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A former girls basketball coach accused of sexual exploitation with two former underage students has died by apparent suicide, according to sources in the Columbus Division of Police.

Jason Dawson, 35, was charged earlier this month with 10 counts of sexual battery in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. He posted bond in that case last Friday. Dawson was a former girls basketball coach and teacher at Worthington Christian High School in Westerville.

Dawson was also hit with federal charges Tuesday, accused of the sexual exploitation of a minor and the distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Ohio.