Tallmadge police

An Akron man is accused of having sexual contact with a Tallmadge teen he met by billing himself as a bowling coach.

(File photo)

TALLMADGE, Ohio -- A man who presented himself as an unofficial bowling coach to a Tallmadge High School bowling club is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with one of the students in the club.

Justin K. Jones, 29, of Akron, is charged with third-degree felony sexual battery in Stow Municipal Court. Jones is free on $25,000 bond.

Jones had no official affiliation with the school or the club, but he presented himself as a coach and often gave advice to members of the club at the bowling alley, police said.

"He fancied himself as a bowling coach," Tallmadge Lt. Ron Williams said, adding that the students often called Jones "coach."

The mother of one of the team members found about a month's worth of "inappropriate" text messages and photos from Jones to her daughter, Williams said.

The daughter, 17, told her mom that she was in a relationship with Jones. The mom previously knew about that man but believed he was a friend of her daughter's, Williams said.

Jones admitted to Tallmadge police to having sexual contact with the girl, Williams said.

Williams said allegations surfaced during their investigation that Jones might have had an inappropriate relationship with another student, but the family declined to pursue charges.

"He was around these kids and helped them bowl and used that as a guise to befriend young ladies," Williams said. "It ended up that he had an inappropriate relationship with this girl."