Day 3 Of Trial For Former Shawnee Athletic Director, Charged With Sex Crimes

It's day three of Ron Arthur's jury trial.

He's a former athletic director and coach from Shawnee. Arthur was accused of soliciting sexual contact with a minor by the use of technology.

Inside the courtroom, the prosecution establishes a pattern of behavior from Arthur, which they say has gone on for years. "I think the defense is trying to piece together the typical locker room behavior," said Robert Hair, a former Shawnee High School student.

But for Hair, this wasn't any locker room behavior. Hair, one of the state's witnesses, says Arthur began grooming him 15 years ago. "Touching me, touching my hands, lots of explicit things said to me," said Hair.

A dozen victims have come forward with these accounts, some taking the stand and others sending in statements.

The only plaintiff in this case is a 17-year-old male. "There are other people that have to grapple with this that knew what was happening," said Senator Shane Jett. 

Senator Jett sat inside the courtroom listening to statements. "Seeing for the very first time the perpetrator that hurt so many kids was chilling," said Senator Jett.

If Arthur is found guilty, he could be fined up to 10 thousand dollars or put in jail for up to 10 years.

News 9 reached out to Arthur's attorney. The trial starts back up tomorrow at 9 am.

The Background:

Ron Arthur is accused of sexual misconduct with students and investigators say abuse allegations span more than a decade.

Related Story: Shawnee Hs Assistant Athletic Director Charged With Sex Crimes

In 2018 there was a Title 9 investigation into Arthur’s behavior and he was suspended several times between 2007 and 2008.

Related Story: Shawnee Assistant Athletic Director Resigns Amid Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct

"This wasn't a first offense. It was multiple offenses that spread over a 15-year period," said Oklahoma Senator Shane Jett in 2022.

A former student told News 9 he and his teammates were approached by school board members about Arthur and told to keep quiet.

"They told us to not talk about it. Not tell anybody what was going on," said the former student.

Investigators said text messages on Arthur’s phone confirmed to them that he had multiple victims.

"Seeing the text messages I have seen, it made me physically sick to my stomach," said Amber Soule with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office.

In 2022, prosecutors dropped rape and forcible sodomy charges but the soliciting sexual contact with a minor through technology charge remains.

Related Story: 2 Charges Dropped For Former Shawnee Assistant Athletic Director Accused Of Sexual Misconduct