Steven Barton, an assistant principal at Aiken New Tech High School, faces a felony sexual battery charge after allegedly touching a 16-year-old student at the College Hill campus.

Barton, 43, was booked into the Hamilton County Justice Center on Aug. 28, on one count of sexual battery, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. Court records allege he touched the student with his exposed hand for several minutes. The alleged incident occurred on Aug. 26, according to Local 12.

Security camera footage corroborated the student's account, along with statements Barton made, according to court documents reported by WLWT.

Cincinnati Police Detective Soren Koch-Hutchinson told Hamilton County Municipal Court on Aug. 28 that Barton appeared to have groomed the student over the 2025-26 school year before the alleged contact. Koch-Hutchinson said the contact occurred in an isolated area.

Koch-Hutchinson expects additional charges.

"We believe that there could be extra, additional victims," the detective said. "We ask that those victims reach out to the Cincinnati Police Department so that we can support them and offer them assistance."

Barton did not attend his arraignment. His attorney appeared on his behalf and told the court Barton was not working and was spending time with his family. Judge Mike Peck set bond at $75,000.

Barton has worked as Aiken New Tech's assistant principal since at least 2024, according to Ohio licensing records cited by the Enquirer. The school serves about 1,226 students in grades 7 through 12.

Cincinnati Public Schools said in a statement that administrators contacted Cincinnati Police as soon as they learned of the allegation. The district said Barton has been removed from duty and will have no contact with students while criminal and district investigations continue. CPS said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement.

Aiken New Tech is part of Cincinnati Public Schools, the same district that serves east-side schools including Kilgour Elementary, Clark Montessori and Withrow University High School. The district's investigation and any resulting policy changes would apply across all 66 CPS campuses.

A Hamilton County grand jury is expected to decide whether to formally indict Barton by Sept. 8.