Allen skating coach admitted to sexual relationship with athlete, affidavit says

A North Texas figure skating coach accused of sexually abusing two athletes admitted to having a sexual relationship with one of the victims, according to affidavits supporting his arrest.

The affidavits, obtained by Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV, allege that 47-year-old Benjamin Shroats gradually normalized sexual comments and gestures toward the athletes beginning when they were young children, a process known as grooming.

One victim reported that Shroats engaged in sexual contact with her in 2020, while she was still a minor, according to the affidavits. The athlete, who Shroats coached through her childhood and adolescence, accused him of touching her inappropriately on multiple occasions and discussing being sexually aroused by her.

Shroats admitted in a police interview to touching the victim’s buttocks and said he may have accidentally touched her breast in the middle of “horseplay,” according to the affidavits.

The coach denied any other kind of sexual contact and said the victim was an adult at the time of the alleged inappropriate contact. Shroats was charged with indecency with a child in connection to that victim.

The other victim told police Shroats began abusing her in December 2024, making inappropriate comments about her body and touching her sexually during training, the affidavit states. She also accused Shroats of pressuring her to meet him in his vehicle, where sex acts occurred.

That victim told police she feared reporting Shroats because he told her that if the relationship was revealed, her life would be ruined along with his, the affidavit states. Shroats admitted to the sexual relationship in a police interview and was charged with sexual assault in connection to the second victim’s allegations.

Attorney Ben Fortenberry, who represents the victims, said that the second victim tried to “protect herself” from Shroats by leaving practice early and parking her car in a different location than his.

Fortenberry told the Star-Telegram that his clients are feeling a lot of emotions at once after the arrest.

“They were just carrying the weight of the world with this terrible dark secret,” Fortenberry said. “They feel a little bit of relief, and they’re finally able to share the truth with their close family and the police department.”

At the same time, though, the girls are “getting rattled” about what the future holds, Fortenberry said.

“I just think we have to be vigilant as parents, as friends, as individuals, and keep an eye out,” Fortenberry said. “Because what we’re trying to investigate is what red flags may have been missed along the way, of how did he get away with this for so long?”

The victims’ “sole objection” is to make sure Shroats is held accountable, Fortenberry said.

“Mr. Shroats unequivocally denies the allegations against him,” Shroats’ lawyers said in a statement. “As you are aware, criminal charges are accusations and not findings of guilt. The details of this case will be addressed in a courtroom, where evidence is evaluated under the law rather than in the court of public opinion.”

Shroats’ attorneys could not be reached for additional comment Tuesday.