A former Milton-Union High School principal could receive up to 16 ½ years in prison after pleading no contest Monday, Nov. 30, to five felony counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor and two counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material.

Allen E. Smith, 68, was indicted in October by a Miami County Grand Jury following an investigation by Troy police into messages Smith exchanged with a 14 year old girl. He was arrested by police after a detective posing as the girl made arrangements to meet him in a city park.

Smith pleaded as part of a deal in which prosecutors said they would not file additional charges unless new evidence surfaced of Smith having contact with an underage female.

Smith pleaded no contest and was found guilty Monday by Judge Christopher Gee in county Common Pleas Court. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing scheduled for Jan. 25.

Smith remains in the county jail on $250,000 bail.

Smith is a former educator and principal and most recently worked in curriculum development at the county Educational Service Center. He resigned from that job in September.

Police Detective Chris Tilley said police were led to the case by the mother of the girl who came to police with suspicious messages her daughter was receiving.

The messages, he said, were from Smith.

Tilley said he continued the conversations, posing as the girl, and they agreed to meet. "I met with Mr. Smith and he thought I was a 14 year old girl," Tilley said.

A search of Smith’s phone and other electronic devices resulted in the charges.

He said Smith was communicating with people from age 11 to adults with most being underage.