Ex-Cheerleading Coach Found Guilty of Abuse Against Ten Young Girls

Former Cheerleading Coach Convicted of Sex Assault on Young Girls

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Erick Joseph Kristianson, 46, was found guilty of 23 felony counts of child sexual assault involving ten victims, with incidents spanning nearly two decades. His sentencing is scheduled for March 19.

During the trial, Kristianson denied the allegations, asserting that he never molested any of the girls, claiming the presence of security cameras in gyms where he worked with some of the accusers. He also mentioned that he did not lose his virginity until the age of 27.

Deputy District Attorney Juliet Oliver highlighted that the accusers had been leading their lives until 2022, when Kristianson was arrested in connection with a separate case in Florida. "It became apparent the man who did it to them did it again in Florida," Oliver stated, noting that one victim reached out to Orange County sheriff’s investigators upon learning about Kristianson’s arrest.

Throughout the trial, Oliver noted the emotional toll on the victims, saying, “We saw their raw emotion. The mere sight of him brought them to tears.” She emphasized that the accusers had no ulterior motives for coming forward, pointing out that one victim even traveled to Orange County to testify.

Oliver explained that a statement released by the District Attorney’s Office in May 2023 prompted several victims to come forward, as many had previously felt "embarrassment, shame, guilty, [and] self-blame." She argued that they felt an "imbalance" during the incidents, considering Kristianson’s status as an adult and a respected coach.

Testimonies revealed a disturbing timeline of events. One victim reported being molested in November 2005, while another disclosed the abuse to a therapist at the end of 2006. Oliver described Kristianson as becoming "brazen, bold," and increasingly emboldened over the years, even though he had previously been questioned by deputies in 2005 without charges being filed.

Kristianson’s attorney, Cyrus Shahrooz Tabibnia, challenged the credibility of the accusations, suggesting that some accusers maintained contact with Kristianson on social media long after the alleged incidents. He argued that inconsistencies in victims’ accounts and issues related to their recollections of events from decades ago could undermine their cases. “Some of the accusers are relying on alleged memories from 25 years ago. This is the problem with this case,” Tabibnia stated, also noting two accusers’ substance abuse issues as a factor the jury might consider.

As the case reaches its sentencing phase, the emotional impact on the victims and the community resonates, highlighting the complexities of sexual abuse cases and the challenges faced by survivors seeking justice.