COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. – A local tumbling coach who was accused of sexually assaulting a teen girl is no longer facing a felony charge after a court appearance Tuesday in Colonial Heights.
Benjamin David Jones was charged with felony aggravated sexual battery to a victim 13-14 years of age (Sex offender registry eligible). Tuesday, that charge was reduced to misdemeanor assault and battery.
The 38-year-old coach was indicted on January 8, though court records show the alleged crime happened in November 2018.
CBS 6 reached out to the Colonial Heights Commonwealth Attorney’s office for comment.
“As this is a pending and open case, we cannot comment on it other than what happened in open court today. The victim and her family were consulted at all times during the case. I can confirm that the charge was amended to assault and battery, which is a lesser included offense.”
Jones next court appearance will be in approximately six months for a status hearing.
The former tumbling coach has ties to cheerleading and gymnastics gyms across Central Virginia, including Dinwiddie, Hanover and most recently Goochland.
