High Point, North Carolina Swim Coach Aaron Philip Key Sentenced to Prison

High Point, North Carolina swim coach Aaron Philip Key, 28, pleaded guilty on Monday to six felony counts of taking indecent liberties with a child in a Guilford County Courthouse.

Key began molesting the boy when the boy was 7 years old, according to prosecutors. The boy is now 15.

Key was arrested in January by High Point Police Department. He was living in Raleigh at the time. Key became close with the family while coaching the boy. That closeness led to him staying at the family’s home as a chaperone while the boy’s parents were out of town, according to the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office.

On Monday, the boy, his father, his mother, and a sister all addressed the court. The boy called Key a “coward” while recounting in detail the sexual assault.

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Timothy Gould sentenced Key to two consecutive prison terms of 16 to 29 months. Key also was sentenced to four separate probation terms of 16 to 29 months per count. That means he will spend between almost three and almost five years in prison, with the potential to serve nearly 10 years of probation thereafter.

He will also be required to register as a sex offender and pay $75,000 in restitution.

The boy’s family member said that they were satisfied with the plea deal.

A Linkedin page for an Aaron Key in Greenville, North Carolina with a photo that matches the police report lists among his jobs as the head coach of a swim team based at the High Point Elks Lodge. A newsletter sent out by the High Point Elks Lodge in the summer of 2016 indicated that Key was leaving the club after “17 great years with the team” as a swimmer and coach.

SwimSwam was unable to find any more recent coaching history for Key, and USA Swimming says that he was last a member in 2010.

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Old Retired Guy
2 years ago

Yeah. A bad man: Prison and probation and sex offender registration are all good choices for the guy. Bon appetit..

Ferb
Reply to  Old Retired Guy
2 years ago

Probably not enough prison time under the circumstances, but if the family is satisfied with the deal, then it was a just outcome.

Taa
Reply to  Ferb
2 years ago

I thought it was light also. I don’t see where the judge placed any future restrictions on him working with minors but maybe its included.

Old Retired Guy
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

It is included. Though each State has some sovereignty, my best understanding is that virtually all of the States place severe restrictions upon sex offenders (especially pedophiliacs) with future contacts and with working with minors.

Anonymoose
2 years ago

when will it stop

WestCoastRefugee
Reply to  Anonymoose
2 years ago

Never, it’s as old as mankind. That’s why you have to be ever vigilant. As a parent, I trust no one. Wish it was different, but that’s the way it is.

Corn Pop
Reply to  Anonymoose
2 years ago

Some people just hand over their kids . Out of town – WTH ?

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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