by VDC staff

A South Burlington man and former assistant soccer coach at Winooski High School has been charged in connection with allegations of sexual misconduct involving a child that reportedly occurred on multiple occasions in 2021, according to the Vermont State Police.

Police said they received an intake report on Jan. 8, 2025, from the Vermont Department for Children and Families regarding allegations of sexual abuse. The accused, 44-year-old Kane Smart, was identified as an assistant soccer coach at the time the alleged offenses occurred.

Smart is accused of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child and luring a child while serving in his coaching role. After the school district was notified of the allegations this year, officials placed Smart on temporary administrative suspension and barred him from contact with students during the investigation.

Following a review by the Rutland County State’s Attorney’s Office, state police arrested Smart on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. He was processed at the Vermont State Police Rutland Barracks and released with a flash citation ordering him to appear for arraignment the same day at 12:30 p.m. in Vermont Superior Court’s Criminal Division in Rutland. Prosecutors in Rutland are handling the case due to a potential conflict in Chittenden County, authorities said.

State police have not released details regarding the victim, consistent with policies protecting the identities of individuals in cases involving sexual offenses.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Lauren Ronan at the Shaftsbury Barracks at 802-442-5421, or submit a tip anonymously through the Vermont State Police website.

Police say no further information will be released at this time. The affidavit of probable cause is expected to become public following the arraignment.