Ex-cheerleading coach who sexually abused 10 girls receives shocking sentence

Former Cheerleading Coach Sentenced for Sexual Abuse

A former cheerleading coach has been sentenced to nearly 200 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing ten girls, the youngest of whom was just nine years old.

Eric Joseph Christianson was convicted of various sexual offenses committed in Orange County, California, starting from 1998, according to prosecutors.

In a previous statement, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer mentioned that Christianson faced 23 felony counts of child sexual assault, leading to a sentence of 105 years. However, after a thorough review of the case, Judge Kevin Haskins of the Orange County Superior Court ultimately sentenced him to 174 years and four months in prison.

The reports of abuse started coming to light after Christianson’s arrest in 2022. He faced similar charges involving four children aged between 11 and 13 in Daytona Beach, Florida, where all the victims were part of the competitive cheer club he coached.

Some of the victims were also involved with California’s Magic All Stars and Trabuco Hills High School cheerleading teams when they were targeted.

During the trial, one victim shared the emotional trauma caused by Christianson’s actions, recalling, “One moment I was the happiest I’ve ever been in love, and the next moment I was dumped.” She went on to explain, “The rejection and blockage sent me into a vicious cycle. … I wanted to die. I hated myself.”

Another victim referred to Christianson as a “monster” and a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” highlighting the significant impact the abuse had on their lives. At least two victims turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the aftermath of their experiences.

While Christianson’s family requested leniency based on his age during the offenses and a good conduct report from Indiana, his mother argued that he should not be judged for actions committed over two decades ago. She described him as “a caring and loving person.”