Theater Director charged with statutory rape also suspended from role as church Choir Director

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A North Georgia Theater Company Owner, JC Smith, who faces several statutory rape charges is out on bond.

Chattanooga Police charged Joshua Conrad Smith with five counts of aggravated statutory rape.

Court documents say Smith was having sexual contact with two different minors from February to June 20-17.

CPD says these two girls were a part of Smith’s theater company, Closed Door Entertainment.

Smith rents part of Peerless Woolen Mills in Rossville for storage and prop construction.

The theater company has performed all over the Chattanooga area for years, including versions of School of Rock and Beauty and the Beast at Memorial Auditorium.

Smith was also choir director at Harrison United Methodist Church, but the pastor says that he was suspended last Friday after the charges were filed.

The church sent us this statement: “On Thursday, December 13, we learned of allegations of an inappropriate relationship between our choir director, JC Smith, and a minor that happened in 2017. Our primary concern is that our church be a safe place for all. Upon learning this information, the church leadership team took the immediate action of suspending Mr. Smith while the investigation is underway. This is a difficult situation for everyone involved and we are keeping them in our prayers.”