KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A former UT cheerleader and Knoxville cheer coach was arrested on charges which include solicitation of a minor and statutory rape, according to Knox County court documents.
A lawsuit filed in September of 2022 against Varsity Brands, Premier Athletics, as well as others, named Dominick Frizzell, 22, as a coach and athlete at Premier Athletics, and alleges that he was allowed to emotionally, physically and sexually exploit and abuse young athletes. On Saturday morning, Frizzell was booked into the Knox County Jail with a bond set at $100,000, according to court documents.
According to the indictment, Frizzell was charged with nine counts of solicitation of a minor, sexual activity involving a minor, nine counts of especially aggravated exploitation of a minor, and one count of statutory rape.
The indictment alleges that the majority of the unlawful and sexually explicit contact took place between March and May of 2022. It also alleges that between October and December 2021 and between November 2021 and February 2022, Frizzell exposed the minor to sexually explicit material for his sexual gratification and request sexual acts.
WATE contacted Attorney Don Bosch with the Bosch Law Firm, who represents Frizzell. He said they just learned of the charges late yesterday.
Bosch added that he has no further comments at this time.
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It is not known if the charges are in connection with the September lawsuit, however, that lawsuit lists two alleged victims, one of whom was 14 years old at the time of the alleged abuse.
According to the lawsuit, the victims alleged Frizzell solicited them for sex and sent them sexually explicit photos and videos.