US News
Former gymnastics coach sentenced to 90 years over hidden bathroom recordings
CBS News reports that a federal judge sentenced Sean Gardner to 90 years after he pleaded guilty to hidden-camera recordings of gymnastics students.
The short version
- Sean Gardner pleaded guilty to hidden-camera recordings in a Purvis, Mississippi gym bathroom and was sentenced to 90 years.[CBS News]
- Investigators say he made videos showing at least 10 minors naked or undressing, and seized about 50 videos and 400 photos from his home.[CBS News]
- Civil lawsuits allege USA Gymnastics and SafeSport were warned in 2017 but did not remove him for years; those claims are unproven.[CBS News]
Key facts
- Gardner pleaded guilty to using a hidden bathroom camera at a Purvis, Mississippi gymnastics studio to record students between December 2017 and April 2018.[CBS News]
- A U.S. District Judge sentenced Gardner to 30 years on each of three federal child pornography production charges, for 90 years total.[CBS News]
- Investigators say Gardner created videos showing at least 10 minors naked or undressing.[CBS News]
- About 50 videos and 400 photos were seized from Gardner's residence, according to an FBI affidavit.[CBS News]
- SafeSport temporarily suspended Gardner in 2022 after a Chow's gymnast alleged sexual abuse, and Chow's fired him at that time.[CBS News]
What remains uncertain
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.