Former US Olympic gymnastics coach dies after facing 24 charges, including human traffickinghttps://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/300239789/former-us-olympic-gymnastics-coach-dies-after-facing-24-charges-including-human-traffickingFeb 26 2021
United States women's gymnastics coach John Geddert celebrates during the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Former US Olympic gymnastics coach John Geddert is reported to have taken his own life after being charged with 24 counts of criminal misconduct, including human trafficking and sexual assault charges, related to his work with young athletes.
Geddert, who coached the women's team to a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, had turned himself in earlier this morning, and was due to be arraigned in court shortly before news of his death was announced, US media outlets reported.
In court documents filed on Friday morning (NZ time), the Michigan attorney general charged Geddert, 63, with 20 counts of human trafficking and forced labour, a single count of first-degree sexual assault and one count each of second-degree sexual assault, racketeering and lying to a police officer.
Geddert owned and operated Twistars USA Gymnastics in Michigan and worked closely with Larry Nassar, the former doctor convicted of sexually assaulting hundreds of young gymnasts, including many assaults alleged to have taken place at Geddert's gym.
Danielle Hagaman-Clark, an acting division chief with the Michigan attorney general's office, said at a news conference that Geddert faces only one count that directly relates to Nassar.
“Mr. Geddert knew that Nassar was sexually abusing his patients and failed to take action,” she said. “When he was asked about it . . . he lied about that.”
The remaining counts, she said, are “specific to the defendant's behaviour and the defendant's behaviour alone.”
Michigan prosecutors didn't detail the exact nature of all of Geddert's alleged crimes. Of the 20 trafficking counts, Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel said Geddert “used force, fraud and coercion against the young athletes that came to him for gymnastics training for financial benefit to him. The victims suffer from disordered eating, include bulimia and anorexia, suicide attempts and self-harm, excessive physical conditioning, repeatedly being forced to perform even when injured, extreme emotional abuse and physical abuse, including sexual assault. Many of his victims still carry the scars from this behaviour today.”
“I think it's important to note that human trafficking can affect all types of people. . . . It can happen to anyone, anywhere,” Nessel continued. “And just like the perpetrators of domestic violence and sexual assault, traffickers can seize an opportunity at any time and use the vulnerability of their victims to their advantage.”
She said evidence and witness testimony will be presented in the court that will explain further the allegations made against Geddert.
