A former US gymnastics coach linked to disgraced physician Larry Nassar was charged on Thursday with 20 offenses, including illegal sexual behavior and human trafficking.
John Geddert, who led the U.S. women’s gymnastics team at the 2012 London Olympics, was charged with 20 incidents of human trafficking and forced labor resulting in injury, one of extortion, twice of criminal sexual conduct and once of lying to the Police. , according to a criminal complaint from the state of Michigan filed in Eaton County.
According to the indictment, the 63-year-old Geddert is accused of “sexual penetration” of a girl under 16 in the two counts of criminal sexual conduct in January 2012.
John Geddert used violence, fraud and coercion against the young athletes who came to him for gymnastics training for financial benefit to him, Attorney General Dana Nessel told reporters.
“The victims suffer from eating disorders including bulimia and anorexia, suicide attempts and self-harm, excessive physical condition, repeatedly forced to perform even when injured, extreme emotional abuse and physical abuse, including sexual assault. today. “
Several gymnasts publicly accused Nassar of sexually assaulting them at Geddert’s Twistars gym in Dimondale, Michigan.
Nassar, who pleaded guilty to a Michigan court for sexually assaulting 10 minors in January 2018, is serving up to 175 years in prison and is expected to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
The charge of lying to the police is related to Geddert’s alleged knowledge of Nassar’s crimes.
“Mr. Geddert knew that Nassar was sexually assaulting these patients and that he was not taking any action,” said Assistant Attorney General Danielle Hagaman-Clark.
“And when asked about it by police officers during the 2016 Nassar investigation, he lied about it.”
Geddert surrendered to the Eaton County sheriff’s deputies on Thursday morning and was scheduled to appear in court later that afternoon, prosecutors said.
A lawyer from Geddert was not immediately available for comment on Thursday.
Geddert’s alleged victims have not been identified.
The 2012 gymnastics squad was led by Gabby Douglas’ “Fierce Five”, Jordyn Wieber, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross and McKayla Maroney, who took gold for the team.
Douglas won gold for the individual all-round, while Maroney scored silver in the vault and Raisman bronze on the balance beam and gold for the floor exercise.