NY Youth Sports Coach Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges After Allegedly Sending Sexual Messages to Minors on Snapchat

NY Youth Sports Coach Facing Child Exploitation Charges After Allegedly Sending Explicit Snapchat Messages to Minors

A 21-year-old Wellsburg man who worked as a youth sports coach has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies after New York State Police say he sent sexual photos and messages to at least two victims under 12 years old. Wellsburg Youth Coach Donavan Smith Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges After Sending Sexual Messages to Minors on Snapchat.

Youth Coach Accused of Inappropriately Communicating with Young Girls

Donavan C. Smith, 21, also known as Donavan C. Sutton, faces a total of seven charges following an investigation launched in mid-June. According to the New York State Police, Smith was identified as the adult coach behind the communications after a mandated reporter alerted troopers to the situation on Wednesday, June 17.

Child Sex Crimes Charges Against Youth Sports Coach

Smith faces two counts of disseminating indecent material to minors in the first degree, each a class D felony. He is also charged with attempted use of a child in a sexual performance and promoting a sexual performance by a child, both class D felonies, as well as attempted promoting a sexual performance by a child, a class E felony. Rounding out the charges are two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, classified as class A misdemeanors.

The NYSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation, based out of Painted Post, received a tip from a mandated reporter that a child under the age of 12 had received sexual photos and communications in June from an adult identified as Smith. As troopers dug deeper, they uncovered that Smith had engaged in similar conduct with a second juvenile under the age of 17 during the same period. Investigators determined Smith had been communicating with both children via Snapchat over timeframes ranging from approximately one week to more than one month. Troopers stated there were no allegations of physical contact between Smith and either victim.

Wellsburg Coach Held on Bond

Smith was arraigned in Steuben County Centralized Arraignment Part Court and remanded to the Steuben County Jail. He is being held on $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond. Orders of protection have been issued on behalf of both juvenile victims.

The investigation remains active, and troopers have indicated that additional charges are possible. The case is being handled collaboratively by the New York State Police, the Steuben County Department of Social Services, Child Protective Services, and the Steuben County District Attorney's Office.

Additional Victims Sought in Youth Coach Child Sexual Exploitation Case

Anyone with information related to this investigation is urged to contact the New York State Police at 585-398-4100 or by email at crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.

The factual information above was sourced from mytwintiers.com as of June 26, 2026.

The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.

When a Coach Betrays the Trust of a Child

When a youth sports coach — someone parents and children are expected to trust — crosses the line into sexual exploitation, families are often left overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn. Beyond the criminal case that law enforcement may build, victims and their families have independent legal rights that many people are unaware of. We spoke with experienced New York sexual abuse lawyer Thomas Giuffra about what families need to know when a child has been sexually abused or exploited by a coach.

Q: When a child is sexually exploited by a youth sports coach, what legal options does the family have beyond the criminal case?

A: The criminal case is handled by the government — the family has no direct control over it. But separately, the victim has the right to file a civil lawsuit seeking financial compensation for the harm done. That includes pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and the long-term psychological impact abuse can have on a child's life. The civil case belongs to the victim and their family, and it moves on its own timeline, independent of what happens in criminal court.

Q: Can the sports organization or league be held legally responsible, even if they didn't know the abuse was happening?

A: Absolutely. Organizations that put adults in positions of authority over children have a legal duty to screen, supervise, and monitor those individuals. If a league, school, or sports organization failed to run proper background checks, ignored warning signs, or did not have adequate safeguarding policies in place, they can be held liable for the harm that resulted. In many cases, the organization carries far more financial responsibility than the individual abuser.

Q: What should a family do immediately after learning their child has been exploited?

A: First, make sure the child is safe and get them the emotional and psychological support they need — that is the priority. Then, preserve everything. Screenshots, messages, emails, any communication the child received should be saved and not deleted. Contact law enforcement if you haven't already, and then speak with an attorney as early as possible. Evidence can disappear, witnesses' memories fade, and in New York, there are deadlines that apply to civil claims. Getting legal guidance early protects the family's options.

Q: Many families worry about putting their child through more trauma by pursuing a civil case. How do you handle that concern?

A: It is one of the most common concerns I hear, and it is completely understandable. A good attorney works around the child, not the other way around. In many civil cases, children are shielded from the most difficult parts of the legal process. Families also tell me that holding the responsible parties accountable — including the institutions that failed to protect their child — brings a sense of validation and closure that the criminal process alone sometimes cannot provide. Every family is different, and my job is to give them the full picture so they can make the best decision for their child.

You Don't Have to Face This Alone — and the First Step Costs Nothing

If your child has been sexually exploited or abused by a coach or any person in a position of trust, you have legal options — and you deserve answers. New York sexual abuse lawyer Thomas Giuffra offers free, confidential consultations to victims and their families, giving you the opportunity to understand your rights without any financial pressure. Time limits apply to sexual abuse claims in New York, so the sooner you reach out, the better protected your family will be. Call today to speak directly with an attorney who will listen, guide you, and fight for the justice your child deserves.