A former United States gymnastics coach who has links to unfortunate doctor Larry Nassar was charged Thursday with two dozen crimes, including illegal sexual conduct and human trafficking.
John Geddert, who led the United States women’s gymnastics team at the 2012 London Olympics in London, was charged with 20 counts of human trafficking and forced labor, resulting in injuries, one extortion charge, two counts of criminal sexual conduct and one lying to the police, according to a Michigan state criminal complaint filed in Eaton County.
In both criminal charges of sexual conduct, Geddert, 63, is accused of “sexual penetration” by a girl under 16 in January 2012, according to the complaint.
“John Geddert used force, fraud and coercion against young athletes who came to him to train in gymnastics for financial benefits,” State Attorney General Dana Nessel told reporters.
“Victims suffer from eating disorders, including bulimia and anorexia, suicide attempts and self-harm, excessive fitness, repeatedly forced to act even when they are injured, extreme emotional abuse and physical abuse, including sexual violence. Many of these victims still carry these scars from his behavior to this day. “
Several gymnasts have publicly accused Nassar of sexually abusing them at Geddert’s Twistars gym in Dimondale, Michigan.
Nassar, who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing 10 minors in a Michigan court in January 2018, is serving up to 175 years in prison and is expected to stay behind bars for the rest of his life.
The charge of lying to the police is linked to Geddert’s alleged knowledge of Nassar’s crimes.
“Mr. Geddert knew that Nassar was sexually abusing these patients and that he failed to act,” said Assistant Attorney General Danielle Hagaman-Clark.
“And that when he was asked about it by police officers during the 2016 Nassar investigation, he lied about it.”
Geddert surrendered to Eaton County sheriff’s delegates early Thursday morning and was scheduled to appear in court later that afternoon, prosecutors said.
Geddert’s defense attorney was not immediately available for comment on Thursday.
The alleged victims of Geddert have not been identified.
The 2012 women’s gymnastics team was led by Gabby Douglas’s “Fierce Five”, Jordyn Wieber, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross and McKayla Maroney, who won gold for the full team.
Douglas won gold for the general individual, while Maroney won silver in the jump and bronze from Raisman in the balance beam and gold in the solo exercise.