Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, September 11, 1993                   TAG: 9309110062
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV 8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KEVIN KITTREDGE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

TECH STAFFER CHARGED WITH SEXUAL BATTERY

John D. Smith, 54, was arrested Sept. 1 on a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery, court records show.

Smith, a Tech building and grounds superintendent, is free on $2,000 bond.

The alleged victim is a sales representative who was in Smith's office on business Aug. 27, the day the incident allegedly occurred, said Lawrence Hincker, director of university relations.

Smith is accused of holding the woman against her will, kissing her and touching her breasts, said Commonwealth's Attorney Phil Keith.

The woman, Judy Burns-Thurman of Roanoke, said she had just taken a sales order from Smith and turned to go when the incident occurred. "When I turned around, he was there. Right there," she said.

Smith had made suggestive comments to her in the past, Burns-Thurman said, but she had ignored them or attempted to change the subject.

Burns-Thurman, who is a sales representative for a Pennsylvania company that sells maintenance products, called police that night, she said.

She said she has been unwell and unable to work much since the incident occurred two weeks ago. "It's been a nightmare."

Burns-Thurman said she did not mind if her name was used in a news story.

Attempts to contact Smith or his attorney, Ed Stone of Radford, Friday afternoon were unsuccessful.

Smith was arrested at the Virginia Tech Police Department, court records show.

A sexual battery charge carries a maximum penalty of 12 months in jail and $2,500 fine, or the fine alone.

Smith is on leave pending resolution of the case, Hincker said.

"Mr. Smith is currently suspended from university, but in light of his long standing as an employee of the university - he's been with us for 32 years - he's been allowed to use annual leave," Hincker said.

A court date has been set for Sept. 30 in General District Court in Blacksburg.