Former gymnastics coach sentenced to 90 years for recording young students

Former youth gymnastics coach Sean Gardner was sentenced to 90 years in prison on Wednesday for secretly recording young female students in Mississippi, the New York Post reported. US District Judge Kristi Johnson handed down the maximum possible sentence to the 39 year old offender. [1]

According to the New York Post, Gardner pleaded guilty to three federal child pornography production charges. Judge Johnson ordered Gardner to serve 30 years in prison for each count, with the sentences running consecutively, which likely amounts to life in prison. The recordings took place while young students were undressing and using the bathroom at a Mississippi gym. [1]

The New York Post reported that the FBI arrested Gardner last summer following an investigation that was first reported by The Associated Press. His arrest renewed questions surrounding safety and oversight within US gymnastics programs. [1]

The case follows broader scrutiny within the sport. Hundreds of gymnasts, primarily minors, suffered sexual abuse by gym owners, coaches, and staff across the country over two decades in what is considered the largest sexual abuse scandal in sports history. Hundreds of athletes sued USA Gymnastics, Michigan State University, and the United States Olympic Committee, resulting in settlements totaling nearly $900 million in 2018 and 2021. [2]