A Massachusetts youth hockey coach returned to court Friday morning to face 10 new counts of child sex abuse charges.
Thirty-one-year-old Christopher Prew pleaded not guilty to the new charges during his arraignment in Salem Superior Court after an Essex County grand jury returned 10 indictments on Thursday alleging the Winthrop resident sexually assaulted six boys under the age of 14 in Marblehead and Peabody.
He was charged with nine additional counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted indecent assault during his Friday arraignment. The alleged conduct took place between Jan. 1, 2017 and Feb. 5, 2018.
According to prosecutors, Prew used his position of authority as a youth hockey coach to ingratiate himself with his players' families and coerce his victims.
His attorney told NBC10 Boston Prew looks forward to his trial, "where he expects he'll be exonerated and vindicated against these allegations made against him."
Prew has been charged on a total of 19 counts in Essex County and one in Middlesex County, according to authorities. The new charges are based on accusations from six victims, all young boys, with the alleged incidents happening in Marblehead or Peabody.
He has been accused of molesting 11 young boys in total, but has only been formally charged with sexually assaulting eight boys. Three cases remain under investigation.
Outside of court, Prew's family told NBC10 Boston it's a matter of time before the truth comes out.
"This kid is a great kid, he loves what he does," Prew's stepfather said while on the verge of tears. "He gave up his whole life to teach kids hockey."
Prew is currently being held without bail and will remain behind bars until his trial. He's due back in court on April 2.
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Prew's mother, Louise Martino, has also been indicted on a charge of witness intimidation in connection with the case after she was accused of threatening the mother of one of Prew's alleged victims on social media. She has not been arraigned.
