MARION COUNTY, Fla – A former football coach was arrested after deputies said he inappropriately touched an underage victim while being driven home from a football game by the suspect, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Christopher Chell, 44, was extradited to Marion County from Alachua County on a warrant charging him with lewd or lascivious molestation under the age of 12.
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The arrest stems from an incident that allegedly occurred sometime between mid-to-late October 2022, when the victim was under the age of 12.
On Feb. 25, the MCSO filed the arrest affidavit after receiving information from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office regarding a historical sexual offense against a child.
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According to the affidavit, the victim disclosed the incident to a teacher, who then reported it to law enforcement. The victim stated that during the ride home, Chell, who was the victim’s coach at the time, began to touch him inappropriately.
Further investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Chell had a history of similar offenses. In 2024, he was arrested by Gainesville police and charged with multiple counts of lewd or lascivious molestation involving other minors. Although some charges were dropped, Chell pled guilty to felony battery and was sentenced to 60 months of probation.
Chell received a $10,000 bond and has since been released on bond.
Based on the information gathered during the investigation and Chell’s established criminal history, detectives believe he may have victimized other children. Anyone with information about other potential victims is asked to contact Detective Paxton at (352) 368-3534.
