Virginia man charged with child porn used alias as cheerleading coach: officials

RESTON, Va. - Officials say that a 38-year-old Leesburg man charged with 10 felony warrants in January had been using an alias to present himself as a USA Cheer coach and a modeling recruiter. 

Jason R. Fragale, 38, was using the name Jason Mariani in late 2022 and spring 2023 to run a business for photo shoots, cheer lessons and coaching of young girls, officials say. 

Michael Bullock, a special agent with Virginia State Police, said law enforcement officials want to speak with anyone who went to Fragale’s Reston business on Freedom Drive near the Reston Town Center for services relates to photos, lessons, and coaching.

"So, some people may know him as Jason Fragale. Some people may know him as Jason Mariani. Anyone who has had any interaction, we’re asking them to come forward to speak to us," Special Agent Bullock said. "If they have had any interaction regarding cheerleading business, coaching, modeling. If they have seen him at a gym or anything related to that or been to his office, we’re asking them to come forward and speak with us. They could be of great help."

In January 2024, ten felony warrants were obtained against Fragale. Five felony counts of possession of child pornography and five felony counts of reproduction of child pornography. 

The investigation began after a cyber tip was submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, alleging Fragale used the messaging app "Kik" to upload dozens of photos and videos of suspected child pornography. According to court documents, detectives reviewed messages exchanged between Fragale and several other users.

The defendant allegedly said in one of the messages, that he "knows he is a pedophile and wants to find other people with the same interest."

He was arrested in February at a Florida airport just before leaving the country and was extradited to Virginia, where he remains in custody. An attorney was not listed for Fragale under public online records. No one answered the door Tuesday at the Leesburg home, which was listed as Fragale’s last known address in Virginia.

According to police, Fragale is known to have ties to a cheerleading company, The Crimson All-Star Cheerleading Club, which was registered in Florida and in Reston, Virginia. Bullock told FOX 5 Tuesday that the club has since been dissolved. 

Investigators are encouraging anyone who went to the business in Reston to contact Special Agent Michael Bullock at questions@vsp.virginia.gov or 571-581-4420.