Elite Gymnastics Coach Arrested on Federal Child Pornography Charges Amid Abuse Allegations
Sean Gardner, a former coach at Chow's Gymnastics, was arrested on federal child pornography charges. He faces allegations of sexually abusing girls and secretly filming them at multiple gyms.
PBS NewsHourEx-coach at renowned gymnastics academy arrested by FBI years after abuse reports
Associated PressTakeaways from AP's reporting on coach accused of abuse at renowned US gymnastics academy
CBS NewsFormer coach at prominent U.S. gymnastics academy arrested by FBI years after reports of abuse
The GuardianEx-coach at renowned US gymnastics academy arrested on child sexual abuse images charge
Associated PressYears after abuse reports, ex-coach at renowned US gymnastics academy is arrested by FBI
Overview
Sean Gardner, a coach at Chow's Gymnastics, known for training Olympic medalists, was accused of sexually abusing girls and secretly filming them at gyms in Iowa and Mississippi since 2018.
Allegations include inappropriate touching during workouts and the discovery of numerous illicit photos and videos of young girls on his devices, some depicting child pornography.
Gardner was arrested last week on federal child pornography charges, over three years after his initial coaching suspension by USA Gymnastics following a report in March 2022.
Despite ongoing investigations and a provisional suspension by SafeSport in July 2022, Gardner secured a surgical technologist job in May 2024, raising questions about case resolution delays.
The FBI affidavit details 50 videos and 400 photos, including hidden camera footage from restrooms, leading to Gardner's detention in Des Moines before transfer to Mississippi for charges.
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