KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Dominick Frizzell, a former Knoxville cheer coach and University of Tennessee cheerleader, has pleaded guilty to multiple child sex crimes including statutory rape.

He was arrested in May of 2023 and 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.

Frizzell on Friday pleaded guilty to one count of solicitation of a minor, one count of statutory rape, and three counts of sexual activity involving a minor. He was given a 10-year sentence with split confinement of one year, meaning he will serve one year in jail and then be placed on probation for the remaining nine.

“My child did not deserve that,” one parent said. “He has spent over three years trying to rework and rewire his brain to heal the damage that Nick has done to him. To learn what a healthy relationship is and pull himself out of the trauma he’s endured.”

Parents of one of the victims spoke in court, describing the impact his actions had on their child and family.

“Right after my son competed at Summit, which is the highest cheer competition in the nation, at the end of the season he walked out without his uniform on, which was completely shocking to me. I told him I wanted a picture of him in his uniform he said ‘Mom, I’m so done with this. I’m never going back. I never want to be reminded of this season because it has absolutely ruined my life.’”

“My son’s courage ended your joyride of (inaudible) and raping little boys his bravery is why I get the pleasure of watching you escorted off to prison today,” the victim’s father said. “I get the satisfaction of knowing you must live the rest of your life as a sex offender and everyone will know it.”

Frizzell was taken into custody and will now be placed on the Tennessee sex offender registry for life.