A former high school basketball coach from Rhode Island faced trial on Tuesday, facing serious allegations of molesting teenage boys during “fat tests” conducted while they were unclothed.

Aaron Thomas, 57, a former esteemed basketball coach at North Kingstown High School, faces charges of second degree child molestation and second degree sexual assault. Prosecutors allege that the incidents occurred nearly two decades apart, yet share striking similarities.

The accusations focus on Thomas’ practice of conducting what he refers to as “fat testing” among his students.

A North Kingstown Police Detective has stated in an affidavit that he conducted interviews with over 30 former students from the school, all of whom claimed that Thomas engaged in inappropriate touching during fat testing, which reportedly usually took place in a small closet adjacent to the gymnasium.

It was commonly believed that Thomas would initially inquire whether students identified as “shy or not shy,” and upon receiving a response indicating they were not, they would be requested to disrobe completely. In 2022, students shared with WPRI-TV that he would subsequently utilize a device to gauge their upper thighs.

Thomas faces serious allegations from two students who claim the coach inappropriately touched them. Ben, the first individual, shared that the testing started when he was just 13 in 2001 and persisted through to his junior year. In a particular case, he claimed that Thomas made contact with his perineum for an extended period.

Thomas reportedly continued his actions two decades later, as another individual, Charles, claimed he underwent invasive fat testing during his time at the school from 2017 to 2020.

Charles claimed that the mistreatment took place despite the school district acquiring a machine for fat testing following a complaint from another student, according to the affidavit.

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Charles claimed that Thomas had students participate in a “puberty test” during that period. In a disturbing account, the affidavit reveals that the coach purportedly directed a naked Charles to position himself against a wall and spread his legs, fully revealing his genitalia. It is further alleged that Thomas then pressed his finger into Charles’s inner thigh and scrotum. Charles stated in the affidavit that Thomas seemed to respond physically to this.

According to the affidavit, Thomas reportedly failed to explain to students the reason behind their disrobing; students felt compelled to take the test due to concerns about potential repercussions on their playing time on the court.

Thomas reportedly had parents sign a “consent form” for the tests, which investigators determined was missing “several important pieces of information.”

According to Mulligan’s affidavit, Thomas refuted the allegations of molesting Ben or assaulting Charles, stating that there was no evidence of sexual arousal or gratification, and no instances of “sexual talk” or “overtones.” Judge Melanie Wilk Thunberg rejected Thomas’ request to dismiss the case, permitting it to proceed to trial, which commenced on Tuesday, April 1.

In an interview with Mulligan, Thomas refuted claims that the students were unclothed during the tests, according to the affidavit.

According to reports, Thomas has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.

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