SMITHVILLE (OH)
WKYC-TV, NBC - 3 [Cleveland OH]
October 1, 2026
By Natalie Clydesdale
A woman claims ex-Green teacher Gary Huff sexually abused her in the late 1990s when she was a teen, coming forward just before the statute of limitations expired.
A former Green Middle School teacher has been arrested and charged with rape and sexual battery after a woman came forward decades after she says the alleged abuse began.
Gary Huff, who retired from the Green Local Schools in 2017, was arrested this week. The Summit County Sheriff’s Office says a woman came forward last October, when she was 42 years old, and reported alleged sexual abuse that she said began when she was 13.
Investigators said the woman reported numerous sexual encounters with Huff, both on and off school property, between 1997 and ’99. Ohio state Sen. Bill Blessing, R-Colerain Township, tells 3News it’s not uncommon for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to wait years before coming forward.
“A lot of times, these people are in an authority position over them,” Blessing said in an interview Thursday. “They’re children. They don’t know any better.”
Under Ohio law, survivors of childhood sexual abuse generally have until their 43rd birthday to pursue criminal charges. This Safer Communities Legislative Workgroup report provides more information about the statute of limitations.
Blessing says he is working on a bill that would eliminate the time limit for survivors of child sexual abuse to take legal action. The bill is still being drafted, with lawmakers and advocates working out the details.
“To have some sort of statute of limitations on this to me strikes as (something that) is not where we want to be from a justice standpoint,” he said. “All of the checks and balances that are currently in place remain in place. The difference is, you can’t just say, ‘Well, time’s up. I got away with it.'”
Green Local Schools sent 3News a statement Wednesday that read, in part:
“We know this news is deeply upsetting, and rightfully so, for our families, our staff, and the entire Green community.
“The Green Local School District has cooperated fully with the investigation and will continue to do so as this case moves forward. We are grateful to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office for its diligent work and partnership in protecting our students.
“The Sheriff’s Office has said its investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Summit County Sheriff’s Office directly.
“As this matter moves through the legal process, the district will respect the investigation and the judicial process.
“The Green Local School District remains committed to the safety of our entire school community.”
According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation led to the discovery of additional victims, and authorities are still working to determine if there are more. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.
Online court records show Huff is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday.