Byron Smith, 27, of Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee, United States was a volunteer, non-faculty wrestling coach at Blackman High School in Murfreesboro. He is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a female student wrestler attending the school.

According to the student, she and Smith met on at least five different occasions and would engage in kissing on the lips. On January 28, 2023, he allegedly had a sexual contact with her.

On February 23, 2023, the Rutherford County Schools received a report about the alleged relationship between Smith and the student. On the same day, he was suspended from all coaching duties and the parents of the students on the Blackman High School’s wrestling team were notified.

On February 24, 2023, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office detective Amanda McPherson arrested Smith. He was charged with one count of solicitation of a minor – aggravated statutory rape and five counts of sexual contact with a minor by an authority figure.

Smith was booked into the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center in Murfreesboro. On February 27, 2023, he attended a hearing before Judge Lisa Eischeid.

After posting a $20,000 bond, Smith was released. On March 23, 2023, he will attend the next criminal hearing in General Sessions Court.