JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville man accused of sexually battering a 13-year-old boy is now facing a single, upgraded charge after prosecutors dropped one of the original counts against him.
Victor Chrispin, 32, former CEO of a dance company, was arrested on Dec. 31 after the teen told Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigators that Chrispin had been in a romantic relationship with him since mid-2025. Chrispin denied the teen’s claims to police.
Chrispin was originally facing two charges: sexual battery and a charge of an authority figure soliciting or engaging in lewd conduct with a student. The second charge was dropped March 30.
However, the sexual battery charge — a first-degree felony — remained.
Local attorney Gene Nichols, a partner at Nichols and Pina who is not affiliated with the case, said the move is not unusual.
“What we see here is the state attorney’s office took what the sheriff’s office had and, in essence, upcharged this defendant to what could be really the most serious possible charge, going from the authority figure soliciting a child to an actual sexual battery,” Nichols said.
Nichols added that a conviction on the sexual battery charge carries severe consequences.
“No doubt he could face life in prison if convicted, and no doubt that if he was, the court would sentence him to life in prison,” Nichols said.
Chrispin has maintained his innocence. He has hired high-profile local attorneys and has been active on social media, expressing perseverance and recently celebrating his 32nd birthday.
The court also has required him to wear a GPS monitor.
Chrispin is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on May 14.
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