A former admissions officer and baseball coach at the Packer Collegiate Institute, a prestigious private school located in Brooklyn Heights, has been charged in connection with the sexual abuse of multiple children who participated on his teams. Nicolas Morton, 31, is accused of engaging in a pattern of abusive behavior that has shocked the local community.

According to prosecutors from the Brooklyn district attorney’s office, Mr. Morton allegedly made numerous inappropriate sexual comments, pressured players to show him their genitalia, and physically touched their intimate areas on several occasions. Disturbingly, he is said to have coerced the boys into continuing “difficult conditioning exercises” by withholding permission to stop unless they exposed themselves to him.

The seven young victims, all aged between 12 and 14, were subjected to these alleged abuses primarily within the confines of Packer’s gym and at various baseball fields across Brooklyn. The misconduct reportedly began in early 2023 and persisted through the summer months. In addition to his role with the school team, Mr. Morton also coached a travel baseball squad.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez remarked, “Coaches are entrusted with nurturing young minds and talents, not exploiting them for personal gratification. The disturbing details of this case highlight the lasting damage such behavior inflicts on vulnerable youth.”

Morton faces a substantial 20-count indictment, which includes serious charges such as second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child, along with third- and first-degree sexual abuse, in addition to 13 counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

During a court hearing on Thursday before Justice Donald Leo, Mr. Morton pleaded not guilty to the charges. Dressed in a blue checked shirt, he stood silently beside his attorney, staring down at the table in front of him. His mother and other family members were present in the gallery, observing the proceedings quietly.