Michigan Gymnastics Doctor Indicted On Child Porn Charges
GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ/AP) — A Michigan doctor who formerly worked for USA Gymnastics and is facing sexual assault charges has been indicted on child pornography charges.
The child pornography indictment against Dr. Larry Nassar was unsealed Friday in federal court in Grand Rapids. He's already charged with sexual assault in state court and is a target in civil lawsuits filed by former female gymnasts.
The indictment says Nassar received child pornography and possessed thousands of images, from 2003 through 2016.
Nassar appeared in court Friday and remains in custody. Email and phone messages seeking comment from his attorney weren't immediately returned.
Prosecutors will hold a news conference Monday.
Besides working for Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics, Nassar was a doctor at Michigan State University and treated gymnasts from all over Michigan. He was fired earlier this year.
The 53-year-old doctor has been under scrutiny since two gymnasts, including a member of the 2000 U.S. women's Olympic team, accused him of sexual abuse during what were supposed to be medical treatments.
The alleged assaults against 'Victim A' took place between 1998 and 2005, from the age of six through 12. She was not a patient or gymnast in Nassar's care.
In October, a former gymnast who was on the national team from 2006 to 2011 filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles, alleging Nassar repeatedly sexually abused her and renowned husband-and-wife coaches Bella and Martha Karolyi turned a blind eye to molestations.
Attorney John Manly, who is representing Jane Doe (Victim A) in the lawsuit, said he has been approached by 10 female athletes treated by Nassar, including gymnasts and athletes from other disciplines, since her lawsuit was filed. Manly said the accusers range in age from their teens to 40 and include former NCAA athletes among others. Manly said he anticipates other cases being filed, predicting that Jane Doe's lawsuit is "certainly not the last."
Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics previously said that it cut ties with Nassar after learning of athlete concerns about him in the summer of 2015.
Nassar faces 16 more abuse complaints at Michigan State University, which date back to 1996. The university said in September that Nassar was investigated in 2014 over another allegation of misconduct, but the school found no violation of its policy.
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette's office called the case complex, saying it is believed to have crossed into multiple jurisdictions in Michigan and possibly across state lines.
Nassar faces up to life in prison if convicted on the charges.
Anyone who may be a victim or who has information regarding this case is asked to contact the Michigan State University Police Department's toll-free tip line at: 844-99-MSUPD.
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