Daytona Beach, FL - A former Daytona Beach cheerleading coach will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars after a California jury found him guilty of sexually abusing young girls he coached more than two decades ago.
Erick Joseph Kristianson, 46, was convicted Tuesday on 23 counts related to molesting 10 girls at a summer cheer camp in the early 2000s.
Arrest in Florida Sparked Wave of New Victims
Kristianson’s downfall began in Florida in 2022, when Daytona Beach police arrested him for exposing himself during FaceTime calls with students from Champion Elite Academy. Investigators said that case led to the discovery that he had inappropriate contact with a 13-year-old girl.
Following his Florida arrest, several women in California came forward after recognizing Kristianson from news reports. Prosecutors said the girls he abused in California—ranging in age from nine to 16—were assaulted in private homes, during unauthorized cheer events, and at the beach.
Prosecutors Describe Years of Abuse Hidden Behind Coaching Career
According to prosecutors, Kristianson used cheerleading gyms throughout Orange County and across the country to target and exploit young athletes.
“For decades, Erick Kristianson used cheerleading gyms in Orange County and across the country as a kind of perverted catalog from which to select the next young girl he was going to molest,” District Attorney Todd Spitzer said, calling the conviction a hard-won moment for the victims who lived in silence for years.
Spitzer said Kristianson “was hiding in plain sight, a trusted coach banking on the fact that he could trust his young victims not to say anything about the abuse they were enduring.”
Additional Charges Pending in Florida
Kristianson still faces child sex charges in Florida for his alleged crimes there. That case remains on hold until his sentencing in California is complete.
He is expected to learn his fate in March, closing a case that exposed years of abuse spanning multiple states and leaving a lasting mark on the cheerleading community.
Sexual Abuse Attorney Discusses Options for Survivors of Cheerleading Coach Abuse
In the aftermath of recent convictions involving cheerleading coaches accused of exploiting their students, survivors are asking what legal steps they can take to seek accountability. We sat down with attorney Michael Haggard to discuss how victims can take action against both individual offenders and the organizations that failed to protect them.
Laurence Banville, Esq.: Cases like this are deeply troubling. Many survivors say they were afraid to come forward for years. What can they do now if the abuse happened a long time ago?
Michael Haggard, Esq.: Florida law allows survivors to pursue civil claims even years after the abuse, depending on when they discovered the harm and whether they were minors at the time. Recent changes in legislation have expanded access to justice for adult survivors as well. The key is finding an attorney experienced in handling these sensitive, time-barred cases.
Banville: And if the perpetrator was associated with an organization, like a cheer gym or camp, how does that affect accountability?
Haggard: Organizations can be held responsible if they failed to properly screen, supervise, or report misconduct. Many of these cases reveal systemic negligence—coaches were given unsupervised access to children despite warning signs. Civil lawsuits can push these institutions to adopt stronger safety protocols and protect future athletes.
Banville: So even if criminal charges are resolved, survivors may still have a path to justice through the civil courts?
Haggard: Exactly. The criminal case punishes the offender, but the civil process helps survivors recover damages for the emotional and psychological harm they’ve endured. That balance is vital for healing and accountability.
Speak Up. You’re Not Alone.
Survivors of sexual abuse and their families deserve answers, accountability, and support. If you or someone you love was harmed by a cheerleading coach or another trusted adult, our legal team is here to help. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your options and take the first step toward healing and justice.
