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Gymnastics coach charged with sexually assaulting teen girl

Posted at 6:44 PM, Jan 14, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-15 05:59:16-05

COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. -- A gymnastics coach has been charged with sexually assaulting a teen girl.

Benjamin David Jones, 38, was indicted on a felony aggravated sexual battery charge by the Colonial Heights Grand Jury on January 8.

Jones is a tumbling coach with past ties to cheerleading businesses in Dinwiddie, Hanover and most recently Goochland.

"There was probable cause that a crime was committed for sexual battery on a young lady," Colonial Heights Commonwealth's Attorney Gray Collins said.

Court documents indicated the female victim is between 13 and 15 years old.

Benjamin Jones

"They're very brave when they come forward, you know it's hard to come against an accuser who is older than you, has power over you, like a teacher or a coach or a parent and so they have to be very brave to come forward to do that," added Collins.

The 38-year-old coach was indicted last week, though court records show the alleged crime happened in November.

Sources told CBS 6 that Jones has been asked to leave two different coaching jobs in the past three years, first in Hanover. When a Dinwiddie gym was sold, sources said Jones was let go before the new owner took over.

The alleged assault did not take place at a gym.

Jones was being held at Riverside Regional Jail without bond.

Jones' attorney Jacqueline Reiner has not yet responded to a request for a comment on the situation.

This is a developing story. Witnesses can send news tips, photos, and video here.

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