A Douglas County jury on Thursday found a Sedalia man, formerly a personal trainer out of Parker, guilty on six counts of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust on two of his young athletes.

Aaron Thomas Carrado, 51, faces anywhere from eight years to life in prison, according to the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

The jury determined Carrado assaulted at least two victims, one 15-years-old and the other 16-years-old at the time, at the gym and other locations between 2019 and 2022.

Carrado formerly served as a trainer at the “Strength in Christ” gym in Parker.

Back in 2022, Carrado’s ex-wife reported him to authorities after she found “disturbing” notes and social media messages to the two teens, who, at the time, were trained as Olympic-level high school athletes, according to the news release.

While the investigation unfolded, authorities said Carrado fled to Montana, where he later was arrested.

“The defendant was entrusted to train Olympic-level high school athletes,” Danielle Jaramillo, JD23’s chief deputy district attorney, said in a statement. “Instead, he violated and betrayed them. These courageous survivors have shown that no title, no position, and no power can shield predators from justice.”

23rd Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler added:  “After using his position as a personal trainer and his fake claims of Christianity to these trusting victims — all while married with children — this gutless faithless predator fled the state.”

“But he could not outrun justice.” 

Carrado’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 13.