A 34-year-old Chino man was sentenced to 18 years in state prison for molesting girls on the Pop Warner cheerleading squad he coached, authorities said Monday.
Kristofer Bland had pleaded no contest to 13 felony counts for crimes he committed against three girls on his squad, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office announced.
One felony count was for sexual penetration of a 14-year-old, and the 12 other counts were for lewd acts committed against a 14- or 15-year-old victim.
Bland, a former coach with the Chino Pop Warner league, was sentenced Friday in a courtroom packed with victims’ supporters as well as the defendant’s family.
“The defendant is a true predator,” said Deputy District Attorney Karen Schmauss in a news release. “He used his position as a cheerleading coach to win the trust and compliance of the girls under his care. His influence was so strong that some of the children whom he molested continue to defend him, because they love him so much.”
The case began in February 2014 when one victim’s mother overheard her daughter describing what the coach had done to her. The girl then told police that Bland molested her while giving her a ride home from cheer practice.
The Pop Warner league serves cheerleaders and football players age 5 to 15.
The girl’s mother spoke at Friday’s hearing, saying she didn’t believe Bland was sorry for his actions, only sorry he was caught.
“Kristofer Bland is a sexual predator and threat to our community. I don’t know what the future holds for my daughter but I do know that as of today she will no longer be a victim of Kristofer Bland but a survivor of Kristofer Bland,” the mother said, according to the DA’s office. “She is the strongest and bravest person I know. I know she will not let this destroy her.”
Bland admitted to police he molested the 14-year-old and two 15-year-old victims, all on his team, the DA’s release stated.
He was arrested Feb. 2, 2014, in connection with crimes that occurred between August 2013 and January 2014.
He was also charged with molesting six other girls age 12 and 13, but those charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement, the DA’s office stated.
Bland was a private first class in the California Army National Guard in Azusa, and he will receive a general discharge, other than honorable, the DA’s office said, citing his commanding officer. He worked in intelligence analysis, but his security clearance ended at the time of his arrest.
