OGDEN — Two young girls testified Monday that their Primary teacher "touched" them inappropriately while they were in his church class last year.

Their testimony marked the beginning of a five-day jury trial for Aaron Marcos Montoya, a former Salt Lake County correctional officer who has been charged with 10 counts of aggravated child sexual abuse.

Syracuse police filed the charges after investigating claims that Montoya, 33, had molested nine girls — three of whom were in his Primary class in a ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The court hearing was held in the 2nd District Court in Ogden, where a third alleged victim and her family are expected to testify today against Montoya. Judge Thomas Kay is hearing the case.

During opening-day testimony Monday, the two girls described where they were, what they were doing and what they were wearing when the alleged molestation occurred. The girls, ages 5 and 6, also identified Montoya as the man who "touched" them.

"Do you like Aaron?" prosecutor Troy Rawlings asked the first girl who testified.

"No," she responded.

"Why?" Rawlings asked.

"Cause he was touching me," the girl said.

Both girls said the alleged molestation occurred while they were in their Primary class — a meeting for LDS Church children on Sundays.

Other children were present in the class, both girls said. The second girl who testified said she was touched inappropriately in the presence of adults, who apparently didn't see it happen. Both testified in front of a nearly full courtroom. A victim's advocate was within view but not seated near the girls.

During cross-examination, defense attorneys focused on whether the girls' accusations were prompted by their parents.

The mother of the first girl testified that she understood the seriousness of the allegations and allowed her daughter to tell what happened — without prompting.

"It was something I knew was going to be a huge matter," the mother said. "I was worried about his family and kids. I'm a compassionate person."

The nine jurors, five women and four men, listened to her testimony with little visible emotion, taking notes on legal pads. The jurors were selected Monday morning.

Montoya's wife, Angela Montoya, said the proceedings saddened her. "There are no winners, only losers here," she said. "Everyone's life has been ruined, regardless of the outcome."

Angela Montoya sat surrounded by family and friends near the back of the crowded courtroom. Her face showed no emotion as she listened to testimony from the two girls and the mother of one girl. A family friend and brother to one girl also testified.

This April, Montoya's attorney argued that his trial for the trial to be moved to a different venue because of the emotion and publicity surrounding the case. The case, originally scheduled to be heard in Farmington, was moved to Ogden.

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com