Enon custodian arrested for touching students

Charges with three counts of gross sexual imposition

ENON — The head custodian at an Enon elementary school was arrested this week after he admitted to police that he had inappropriate sexual contact with three students at the school.

Martin Nichols, 40, of Dayton, was arrested on charges of gross sexual imposition, and was taken to the Clark County Jail. According to Enon Police, he was arraigned Friday, Jan. 29, at Clark County Municipal Court, where he pleaded not guilty to three counts of gross sexual imposition. He is being held on $25,000 bail.

Martin is the head custodian at Enon Elementary School. Authorities said he was hired in the Greenon Local School District around 2005 and has been working at the elementary school since 2007. He has no previous criminal history.

Troy Callahan, Enon police chief, said his office began to investigate the case a couple weeks ago after one of the students came forward to her mother.

Police also interviewed the girl’s mother before confronting Nichols, Callahan said.

Nichols initially denied the allegations, but he came forward during a meeting with the district’s superintendent, and also admitted he had inappropriate contact with other students, Callahan said.

Two of the students were 8 years old while one was 7 years old. Callahan said Nichols told police the incidents with the students started about 10 months ago, and took place at the school.

“He was very apologetic,” Callahan said of Nichols. “He’s looking for help. He’s very relieved that he’s come clean.”

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