GORDONSVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
A Middle Tennessee coach is facing charges for what police say was inappropriate conduct with a teenage girl.
Police in Gordonsville said Ronnie Hughes sexually assaulted his girlfriend's 15-year-old daughter.
Hughes was a coach for Smith County Youth Football, but he has since resigned.
He also coached youth baseball in the community.
Police said Hughes admitted to the crime, but a friend and former coach said he is sure Hughes is innocent.
"He says he didn't mean it. At the time, he thought it was his girlfriend, but his girlfriend was at work at the time," said Bob Parliment, former vice president of Smith County Youth Football. "I've coached with him. I've watched him around the kids through the years of coaching. He's never had a parent complaint. He's always handled the kids in an appropriate manner."
Investigators said the girl told her mother what happened, but the child's mom didn't tell police.
Now she is facing charges as well, although she still has custody of her daughter.
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Ronnie Hughes
